SCCA regional events in Texas etc. 1960s-70s through the lens of Jerry Melton

[khyndart in CA]

In the last series of Jerry Melton's photos I just presented the major events such as Can Am, F 5000 etc. events.
I will try to put some of the many SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) photos in this thread starting in 1962-63.
There will be some cars and drivers that will not be identified but if anyone has some information please enter it.
Some of these photos may be repeats but it will add to the experience.
Again thanks to Cliff Reuter (cliff@cliffreuter.com)for allowing these photos to be presented.
Please be patient as this may take a while.
So away we go.

Ken H

[khyndart in CA]

1962-1963

Where else but in Texas, could you have a certain type of track Marshal/ Ranger armed and with handcuffs as he watches Ed Tucker and his crew prepare his Lotus Super 7 # 37 to get out on the track.
1963. Green Valley Raceway. (GVR ) Texas.
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55816

55817

55818
I need help already. Is that a Fairthorpe Electron # 7 RHD in front of the Austin Healey ?
Also what is the Healey roll bar protecting or was it just something to put the stickers on ?
Ken H

(Jerry Melton photos..)

[Paul B]

Not sure if it is a Fairthorpe Electron Ken, The tops of the doors look different. Very hard to tell.
The car in front of that #55 looks like it could be a Victress. Nice looking fiber body.
Interesting hoop placement on the Healey.

[khyndart in CA]

The same Austin Healey at a later event, note how # 33 has become # 83.
Perhaps our Healey expert Roger, can explain the roll bar /hoop arrangement.
55819

55820
A Fairthorpe Electron in the paddock area. (Don't let Paul B see the tow car in the background !)

55821
A little Fairthorpe Electron in action.

55822
Another tiny racer, a Berkeley # 44.
with a brief description at this site.
http://www.bigglesfm.com/berkeley.htm

(Jerry Melton photos..)

[stubuchanan]

See post #1

Green Valley was a road (or street course) wasn't it - cropped in something I was reading from the Auckland library system recently.

Stu

[Roger Dowding]

Where else but in Texas, could you have a certain type of track Marshal/ Ranger armed and with handcuffs as he watches Ed Tucker and his crew prepare his Lotus Super 7 # 37 to get out on the track.
1963. Green Valley Raceway. (GVR ) Texas.
55815

55816

55817

55818
I need help already. Is that a Fairthorpe Electron # 7 RHD in front of the Austin Healey ?
Also what is the Healey roll bar protecting or was it just something to put the stickers on ?
Ken H

(Jerry Melton photos..)

The Roll Bar for the Porsche is square - would seem suitably German,
The ones on the Healey's are rounded - placement must be optional either on the left or in the middle - guess the driver would lean into the middle in the corners and in the event of a " rollover ".

Roll bars were always a favourite place for scrutineering stickers in NZ - instead of one the side windows - these cars " What Side Windows ?? "

[Paul B]

Originally Posted by khyndart in CA
QUOTE(Don't let Paul B see the tow car in the background !)

1962 Galaxie 2 door (Steve Holmes recently sold one) optional 292 Y block, 352 or 390 FE big block.
The High performance options were big block 390ci with 3 x 2 bbl carbs or the same as a 406ci. later in 1962 the very first 406ci crossbolt main blocks were released as top oilers some early engines were cast as crossbolt engines but never drilled at the factory.
There's some blurb for those who haven't had a yawn yet.

[Oldfart]

The #7 looks like an MGA to me.

[khyndart in CA]

See post #1

Green Valley was a road (or street course) wasn't it - cropped in something I was reading from the Auckland library system recently.

Stu

Stu,
Jerry Melton took many of his photos at the Green Valley Raceway which was a motorsports park located near Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas.
It was built on a former dairy farm and designed by Bill McClure. It opened in the early sixties and closed in 1986 and has now of course been overtaken by urban development.

Ken H

[khyndart in CA]

The #7 looks like an MGA to me.

Rhys,
That is what I first thought but then noted that the MGA had rounded corners on the boot and the boot hinges are on the inside
whereas # 7 has external boot/trunk hinges and sharp corners plus the fuel / petrol filler is in a different location than the MGA.
55840

55841

55842


Ken H

[Paul B]

The #7 looks like an MGA to me.

I first thought I would be with you on that Rhys, excellent spotting!
But now upon reading Kens next post the boot/trunk appears different to MGA.

Jury still out?

[khyndart in CA]

Paul,
The jury has finally gone to bed. Before today I hardly knew what a Fairthorpe Electron was, now I will see them in my dreams.
Will the jury have a final decision in the morning ?
55843

55844

55845

" Donald Bennett, CB, CBE, DSO (14 September 1910 – 15 September 1986) was an Australian aviation pioneer and bomber pilot who rose to be the youngest Air Vice Marshal in the Royal Air Force and is probably best know these days for leading the 'Pathfinder Force' (No.8 Group, RAF) from 1942 to the end of the Second World War in 1945. He has been described as "One of the most brilliant technical airmen of his generation: an outstanding pilot, a superb navigator who was also capable of stripping a wireless set or overhauling an engine".
Those legendary mechanical skills were put to good use in the 1950s when he formed Fairthorpe Cars in Chalfont St. Peter planning to build lightweight sporting cars that could achieve 60mph and 60 mpg. Success came quite quickly with the Fairthorpe Atom, a little coupé that featured one of the earliest applications of glass-fibre and a twin-cylinder motorcycle engine In 1957, this was replaced by the front-engined Atomata, however, both these cars sold in low numbers. But Don Bennett was also working on a more sophisticated car built around a Coventry-Climax 1098cc engine, a new chassis and a Microplas Mistral body that was sourced externally. This car was the 1956 Fairthorpe Electron which did well in motor racing but was too expensive to sell in numbers. In 1957, Fairthorpe launched a cheaper version; the Electron Minor; which saved money by using a tuned Standard Ten engine and transmission. The 'Electron Minor' was good enough to stay in production until 1973 with upgrades in engines, brakes and chassis from the Triumph Spitfire and GT6. Because of their light weight and nimble handling, they were very successful at club level, but for more serious racing something else was needed. To address this, Don used the suspension, brakes and axle from the Triumph TR3 and the legendary FWA Coventry Climax engine, which had been very successful in international competition. He dropped the 'Minor' from the name and it became, simply, the 'Electron', however, only 21 or 22 cars were built, and with only seven believed left in existence, they are now very rare cars."


As per Silverstone Auctions.

(Ken H )

[Oldfart]

I don't think the Electron has enough "hump" in the guards. I hadn't been able to spot those square corner edges, so, I tend to agree. Right now, either it's not an MGA, it's one that has had a modified rear from crash damage(?) or something else!

BTW, what's with the strange tail lights on the A in post #10?

[khyndart in CA]

Rhys,
I don't know about that MGA taillight arrangement, I was just trying to show a RHD version and it was late.
May have to give up on this # 7 question and move on but the research is fun.
I took a photo of our old unrestored MGA in our shop and also a Fairthorpe photo I found from a similar angle.
55846
MGA

55847
Fairthorpe Electron Minor


Ken H

[khyndart in CA]

Some shots of the A/C Bristol in action before Carroll Shelby got hold of them.
55848

55849

55850
Battling with a XK 150 as the rain started.

55851
They could be a bit of a handful on a wet day !

(Jerry Melton photos )

[Paul B]

Its a gooden, (trying to guess car #7 on post10) But have a look at this.
Healey 100 race car, take particular note of the gas tank filler location, offset
55852
But the Fairthorpe Electron Minor could be the winner

[khyndart in CA]

Paul,
I think you nailed it on the # 7 question. Thanks so much. A Healey 100 S (Sebring) sounds much more exciting than the Fairthorpe Electron Minor which I don't think raced on wire wheels. Can the jury now retire for the weekend and go home ?
Roger may correct me but I think this car is chassis # AHS 3804. Body number 64 and was Red with Black trim which was unusual as most were two tone and the # 7 car at Texas looks Red with Black trim.
55859

55860

55861
(Note the boot lid corner does not look as rounded as the car below..Hmm )

Information from "Austin-Healey 100 In Detail"
A beautiful car from any angle.
55862



( Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

More from Texas in 1963

A Porsche 356 B Super 90 Cabriolet # 14 ready to go racing. (These can be worth over $ 250,000 US in today's market.)
55875

55876

55877

55878

(Jerry Melton photos..)

[Paul B]

Great pics Ken, On the bottom pic, the red #1 car looks like an AC ace? could be a 1955 or so.

I see there are a few classes, CP, X, DP, HP etc
Guess the smaller engines were HP
Maybe under 2L was X
Over 2L CP
Anyone have any clues?

[khyndart in CA]

Paul,
If you can read this it may give you some clues.
55893

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H , Paul B and others the photo - reposted below

The Cars from closest to front of the line-up ;
Austin Healey white LHD [ not a 100S - as they were all right hand drive when built ]
From the other photo of the car a 100/6 or early 3000
Second car yes looks like a 100S RHD and fuel filler in correct place - if AHS3804 Engine # 222736 body # 64 was sold to Ed Bussey -as mentioned by Ken - through Ship to Shore Motors West Palm Beach,
USA dispatch date stated as 19 Nov 1955 - by Geoff Healey in his books.
The third car in the photo looking from the back - a Triumph either TR2 or more Likely TR3,
Then a mystery car
The front car in the line or last car another Austin Healey probably 100/6 or early 3000. 100/6 were 1956-59 first 3000's in 1959

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55894

Edited comment : Ken have " borrowed " the photo's for my archives and the "Austin - Healey " thread.
I have from the Geoff Healey books the full manufacturing details of all the 100S including the Experimental [ Record Breakers ] and the 5 works Racers

[Roger Dowding]

Great pics Ken, On the bottom pic, the red #1 car looks like an AC ace? could be a 1955 or so.

I see there are a few classes, CP, X, DP, HP etc
Guess the smaller engines were HP
Maybe under 2L was X
Over 2L CP
Anyone have any clues?

Paul B ,Yes I would go AC Ace - and would be with either AC's own engine or a Bristol engine - both just under 2 litre's

MGB at 1798cc is class DP -
Sprite at 948cc is class X - presume for Tiddlers under 1 litre [ 58 cubic inches - for any American in the group - and Ken who lives there !! ]
I am guessing here - will have to do some research on the SCCA in the 1960's
Cheers Guys
and having posted this have just seen Ken's next entry !!

[khyndart in CA]

A bit of British in Texas. 1963.

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55916
That Lotus in the background has a bit of a lean like the suspension is broken on the left front.

55917

55918

55919
A TVR Grantura

55920
Start of the F Production Race with Triumph TR 3s leading the way from a Lotus 7 + more Triumphs..

Jerry Melton photos..

[Bruce302]

Great stuff, Thanks Ken,

[Oldfart]

Paul B ,Yes I would go AC Ace - and would be with either AC's own engine or a Bristol engine - both just under 2 litre's

MGB at 1798cc is class DP -
Sprite at 948cc is class X - presume for Tiddlers under 1 litre [ 58 cubic inches - for any American in the group - and Ken who lives there !! ]
I am guessing here - will have to do some research on the SCCA in the 1960's
Cheers Guys
and having posted this have just seen Ken's next entry !!

Cars with the X also have their class on the side near the numbers. X for novice?

[Paul B]

X for Novice sounds plausible Rhys, I did not think of that. I have had a good look over the net for 60s racing classes but to no avail.
Thanks Roger for your inputs!
Cheers

[John McKechnie]

Paul....are you sanding or are you being distracted again ???

[khyndart in CA]

I hope this page can be read and can be of help to you. From 1966.

55921





Ken H

[khyndart in CA]

"Don't mess with Texas"

Some Lotus 7 photos.

When the lads working on the # 37 Lotus 7 saw the law approaching with big slugs in his gun-belt and hand cuffs in his back pocket they knew it was time to get that car back on the track ASAP !
55922

55923

55924

55926

55925
Just turn the headlights around, remove the tape and drive home from the races.
No problem, just let me use the "outhouse" first.



(Jerry Melton photos.. )

[Paul B]

Paul....are you sanding or are you being distracted again ???

Is this ok John
55927

[Paul B]

I hope this page can be read and can be of help to you. From 1966.

55921





Ken H

A many and varied range of classes Ken, really interesting in Class B the lotus Elan is running the V8s & big 6s I wonder if they set the classes as power to weight ratio?

[Steve Holmes]

55919
A TVR Grantura

Jerry Melton photos..

Brilliant photos Ken. This is another great thread.

Check out the rollcage in the TVR!

[kiwi285]

Is this ok John
55927

He's a pushy bugger isn't he. Sweat and sanding residue don't go well together. Must be getting close now Paul !

[khyndart in CA]

Some of the Formula Junior photos from 1962-63 at Green Valley Raceway.

56055
Dave Morgan's Lotus 22 FJ # 39

56056
Cooper T59 ?

56057
Elva FJ # 5

56058
Lotus 18 FJ

56059
Lotus 20 FJ being worked on.

56060
A blue Elva FJ next to a Gemini Mk2 FJ and an Alfa Romeo in the paddock. (Note that BIG Ford Edsel in the background. )

(Jerry Melton photos.)

[John McKechnie]

Nice red Corvair Monza in front of the Lotus 20. Not far to get things when the bonnet is storage

[khyndart in CA]

John,
This may be a dumb question but did Lotus 20s have drum inboard brakes ?
I thought that would have been something from the 1950s !

Ken H

[khyndart in CA]

I guess I just answered my own "dumb" question;
Wikipedia; Lotus 20 ;Built for the 1961 FJ season ; " Originally fitted with Alfin drum brakes at all four corners, it was soon upgraded to discs in front and inboard drums at the rear."
56067

(Ken H)

[John McKechnie]

Morning Ken, how are we today......I am sure Ray Bell or Terry S can answer this one.
Yep, drum brakes were so 50s

[John McKechnie]

And drums were quite effective, just drill vent holes in them to dissapate the heat

[khyndart in CA]

Some Formula Junior photos. 1963.
A Lotus 20 # 66 at speed.
56068

A Lotus 22 FJ waiting in a damp paddock.
56069

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A Stanguellini # 94 being guarded by an Austin Mini.

56071
In what must have been an Open race an Elva FJ # 5 competing with a TR 3

(Jerry Melton photos .. )

[Ray Bell]

I can answer it?

There was, at least for a while, a provision in FJr that the car must have the same type of brakes as the engine donor-car.

Elfin Catalinas were 4-wheel drum cars, for instance. WR375s, which were the same cars with 1500 engines, had discs.

[Terry S]

Morning Ken, how are we today......I am sure Ray Bell or Terry S can answer this one.
Yep, drum brakes were so 50s

In the original F.I.A. Regulations for Formula Junior, under Article 3 para f "For cars constructed before 1962: the braking system and principle (viz. drum-brakes or disc-brakes) must remain the same as on the car from which is taken the engine"

[John McKechnie]

That was a good honeypot Ken, got any more curly ones?

[Ray Bell]

Terry, do you know of those rules applied to the (freakish) Australian variation of FJr?

That is to say, the cars which ran 1101 to 1500cc engines. This was allowed in the CAMS version of FJr for about two years.

[khyndart in CA]

A Formula Libre car at GVR was this De Tomaso Isis from the Mecom Race Team.
This may have been an ex F1 / F2 car with an Alfa Romeo engine. It was too big for the FJ class. (All inputs are welcome.)
56125

56126

John Mecom did not always have the best of luck with De Tomaso vehicles.
"Another flop was his extraordinary sports car design using a cast-magnesium backbone chassis with the diameter of a dustbin. When the American oil tycoon John Mecom took delivery, his racing advisers confessed that they were not sure whether to attempt to race it, or use it as a flower pot !"

(Jerry Melton photos.. )

A tiny sports car there was the 'Jabro" which was in the H Modified Group.
56127

Some "Jabro" information at this site.

http://sports.racer.net/chassis/jabro/page1.htm


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Some of these cars are worth a fortune in today's market.
Little did these owners realise back in 1963 and even stuffed Chevrolet V-8 engines in along with automatic transmissions !

56169
Maserati 250 S


56170
An Osca 750 S


56171
Maserati 300S with Chevy V-8 and auto transmission


56172


(Jerry Melton photos..)

[Ray Bell]

A great insight into the past, Ken...

Thanks for continuing to post.

[khyndart in CA]

Louisiana driver, Harry Washburn, was a popular driver at this Texas track. Harry had a Cooper Monaco in 1963 with a Maserati engine.
Number 47.
56181

56182

George Koehn also drove a Cooper # 93 and this had a Buick engine.
56183

Delmo Johnson showed up with his new 1963 Chevrolet Corvette "Sebring" # 3 for two GVR events.
56184

This rather dim photo is just to show the beautiful lines of a car built in 1963.
Ageless even after 55 years ! (No not you Roger D !)
56186




(Jerry Melton photos.. )

[John McKechnie]

Split-screen like the one in Cheers...was it a big block or a really cool 327 (looking at those tyres)
Behind 47 is a MG 1300 in the carpark...Ken did that have the optional Cooper S motor in .....do you know? looks like it has roundels on the door for a number

[khyndart in CA]

John that is an interesting spot. The MG 1100 was introduced to the USA in April 1963 and as the two meetings photographed by Jerry were in April and October so the MG 1100s in the photos must be at the October event. The Austin America (1275 engine ) did not get introduced to the US until May 1968. I am surprised how many British cars are in the background of these photos, (e.g. at image # 45 )perhaps they were popular in their day in Texas. I know we have a lot of Moss Motors customers in that state.

"April 1963 - USA: MG 1100 launched at the International Auto Show, New York and marketed as the MG Sports Sedan. 1100cc 55 bhp engine, available in two- or four-door saloon versions. Available in showrooms before launch."
56323




(Ken H )

[Terry S]

Terry, do you know of those rules applied to the (freakish) Australian variation of FJr?

That is to say, the cars which ran 1101 to 1500cc engines. This was allowed in the CAMS version of FJr for about two years.

Ray, as I understand the international regulations were adopted in full in Australia for 1962 and 1963.

This included weight capacity formula of 1,000 cc cars had to be 882 lbs. and 1,000 cars had to be 794 lbs.

These were the first Australian cars to enjoy a series of events to an international formula. This was not done before or since.

There apparently was a proposal to allow 1,500 cc but with a 300 lb. weight penalty. So it never proceeded.

[Michael Clark]

Name drop time - but there's no other way of telling this story.

December 1980 - a used car forecourt in Otahuhu and I'm eating a sausage wrapped in a piece of white bread with Neil Bonnett and Donnie Allison. Neil looks across the road to another used car forecourt and says 'what's that green thing called?'

I look over and there's only one green car - 'That's an Austin 1100'

"Orrztin" says Neil - "that's it - I had me one of them once"

I have wondered ever since how many Austin dealers there would have been in Hueytown Alabama...

[John McKechnie]

Theres a race track in Austin, Texas...

[Dale Harvey]

Name drop time - but there's no other way of telling this story.

December 1980 - a used car forecourt in Otahuhu and I'm eating a sausage wrapped in a piece of white bread with Neil Bonnett and Donnie Allison. Neil looks across the road to another used car forecourt and says 'what's that green thing called?'

I look over and there's only one green car - 'That's an Austin 1100'

"Orrztin" says Neil - "that's it - I had me one of them once"

I have wondered ever since how many Austin dealers there would have been in Hueytown Alabama...

I don’t care about the name drop Michael. Good story! I would love to meet up again for beer and a good old chin wag.
Dale.

[khyndart in CA]

Michael,
Tell me more about Neil and Donnie coming out to NZ please.
Ken H

[Roger Dowding]

" Ageless even after 55 years ! (No not you Roger D !) " wadda ya mean ?? ha ha ..
53 years since I got my licence - still think I am a kid, but the bones say otherwise..

56368

and Corvette's are well up my list of cars -Austin Healey's and TR's tie for first place

Just noticed my " Permanent ' paper ' Licence " expires next month .. B**g#r

[Michael Clark]

Ken, I think it was the second weekend of December back in 1980 - and Donnie and Neil may have been here for two consecutive weekends running 'saloons' at Waikaraka Park. I had met a really nice guy called John Rush who worked for a second hand dealer on the yard next to Paul Fahey's Fiat Centre at the southern/monument end of Otahuhu. I had bought a car from John - no fault of his but the worst car I have ever owned - in late 1980 and he'd told me how he'd helped rebuild the Leckie Capri so clearly he was a fan.

He was also involved in stockcars and had mentioned that 'they' were hoping to bring out Donnie and Neil. When it was confirmed, John asked me if I'd like to attend a barbeque that was being held 'on the forecourt' at lunchtime on the Saturday. John would also give me four passes for that night. I arrived with a friend and apart from John, we 'knew' no one. PBF was there, as was Dennis Marwood - we recognised them, and no doubt some other stalwarts that we didn't recognise were also lurking about.

Donnie and Neil were centre of attention and initially I thought we might just politely devour a sausage and bugger off - but seemingly in a flash, the Kiwis were talking amongst themselves meaning that D & N were 'free'. We didn't need to be asked twice so we started with 'Howdy' and about an hour and a half later, we were talking with Alabama accents - we talked Indy 500, we talked IROC, Petty, Cale - the fight had been the previous year - we talked Formula 1 a bit...my mate and I had these two legends to ourselves and they seemed happy to talk racin'.

I wrote about it in NZCC a couple of years ago and still remember Donnie's deep passion for racing - "Daytona - I love it...I wish it was tomorrow" and man, he meant it.

Anyway, I've gone on too long...but meeting them came about because I'd bought a turd, which kind of made it ok.

[khyndart in CA]

Michael,
Thanks for sharing that, was Spinner Black involved in getting them to come to NZ ?
Also, when does YOUR book go to print ?
Ken

[khyndart in CA]

I am trying to show the classes and entrants at the Green Valley Raceway in 1963.
I hope this is readable.
56427


56428

56429

[khyndart in CA]

Note in the CM class is the Monsterati that had been built by Bill Janowski. Bill had just sold the car to Tim White and he had brought a Lotus 18 # 35 and entered in the F. Jr. race. The Lotus did not make it past practice and this was one of the last competitive races for the Monsterati which has since been beautifully restored and seen at the recent historic races.
56430
Tim White in the Monsterati # 16. Oct. 1963. GVR Texas


56432
Bill Janowski's Lotus 18 # 35
(Jerry Melton photos.)

56431
The Monsterati # 35 at Sonoma Raceway June 2017
(K Hyndman photo..)

[Ray Bell]

Any idea of the component parts of the 'Monsterati'?

[khyndart in CA]

Ray,
I found this write up on Bill and the Monsterati.
" The first Monsterati was constructed from a very tight budget by Bill Janowski who was attending SMU at the time, pursuing a degree in engineering. Being just a freshman in college, he lacked the means to construct a serious racing machine; instead he focused on building a 'special'. Near the close of 1953, he purchased a 1939 Ford chassis and began work on the project which would take several years to complete. work was done during his spare time and he was given assistance by Bob Gast. Once completed, the car was clothed in an fiberglass and aluminum body shell that was attractive, but not very aerodynamic. The car was completed mid-1956 and brought to its first race the following. Power came from a Mercury flathead engine, which would later be switched in favor of a Chevrolet V8 unit. Drum brakes were placed on all four corners, the chassis had a wheelbase of 100-inches and a length of 132-inches, and the gearbox was a Ford three-speed unit. Many of the other mechanical components were courtesy of Ford, mostly from the 1939 donor car.

The car was used as a road car and as a racing machine. It was used in SCCA competition, which, after one race, he had qualified for a national SCCA license. The rules were more relaxed for SCCA competition in the 1950's. During the national competition, challenging such marque's as Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes, and Shelby, and battling for position against more experienced and polished drivers, proved to be a challenge. The car was raced in hillclimbs, but it continued to find itself chasing the competition. More power was needed. The popular choice at the time was the small-block Chevrolet unit. With the assistance of three two-barrel carburetors and a four-speed Chevrolet transmission transplanted from a Corvette, the Monsterati was again ready to race.

The new engine and other mechanical changes proved to be the solution needed to run at the front of the pack. It began setting the fastest times at hillclimbs, such as at the Louisiana Hilltop Raceway, where it ran the course three times, each time besting its previous lap record.

The car was sold in the early 1960s, and its resume in racing was continued by the subsequent owners. As the years progressed, engines and mechanical components were constantly changed on the vehicle. Improvements, which were sometimes very detrimental, were made to the car. One such change was to the aluminum, where one of its owners had used a cutting torch on the delicate metal.

During the 1980s, Janowski began searching for his car. It took a few years, but it was located in Texas. Janowski was able to purchase the car and began a frame-up restoration. When completed, the car was entered in historic competition. The car is currently in the care of Bill Janowski and is a frequent competitor in historic competition events.

The Monsterati was designed and built by Bill Janowski while he was in engineering school at SMU. The car is based on a modified 1939 Ford chassis, has solid axles, drum brakes and the aerodynamics of a brick. It originally had a flathead Mercury engine with a 3-speed transmission, and was street legal. Bill drove the car round-trip from Dallas to Nebraska in 1957.

When Bill got the urge to race the car, it was converted with a small block Chevrolet and 4-speed transmission. The Monsterati first raced in June 1957 at Eagle Mountain, Texas, and then throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. The car was very fast but unreliable and was sold in 1962.

In 1984, Bill located the 'monster' in Balch Springs, Texas, and he restored it in 1986-1987. The Monterey
Historic Race in Monterey, California, was the Monsterati's first race after restoration. It has since been raced at over 75 vintage events. The complete history of the Monsterati has been included in two recent
books: Road Racing Specials and Vintage American Road Racing Cars, 1950-1970. "

[Ray Bell]

Quite the monster then...

A '39 Ford Chassis? I suspect that was highly altered as it seems to me the chassis shape would be wrong to come up with that sort of car.

Though this chassis is a ute, thus had a different rear end, it's essentially the same:

https://s26.postimg.cc/nkabq6rh5/0818fr_RT3540_Fordutechassis.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

Quite the monster then...

A '39 Ford Chassis? I suspect that was highly altered as it seems to me the chassis shape would be wrong to come up with that sort of car.

Though this chassis is a ute, thus had a different rear end, it's essentially the same:

https://s26.postimg.cc/nkabq6rh5/0818fr_RT3540_Fordutechassis.jpg

The Monsterati was featured in Vintage Motorsports excellent Road Racing Specials series which covered the 1950s and early 1960s era before the onset of professional Group 7 cars.

The feature on the car says the chassis was 1939, which "was Z'ed, the engine moved back, and the front solid axle radius rods were modified to make the front axle act as an anti-roll bar".

A lot of popular hot rodding tricks from the time were incorporated into the car. The whole car was said to have been built for $900.

[Roger Dowding]

The Monsterati was featured in Vintage Motorsports excellent Road Racing Specials series which covered the 1950s and early 1960s era before the onset of professional Group 7 cars.

The feature on the car says the chassis was 1939, which "was Z'ed, the engine moved back, and the front solid axle radius rods were modified to make the front axle act as an anti-roll bar".

A lot of popular hot rodding tricks from the time were incorporated into the car. The whole car was said to have been built for $900.

Steve, must have another read I have the book that they made from that series of articles .. a good read - picked it up again when Mike Ryan was tracking down the Hawaiian Corvette that he has recently acquired

[Paul B]

Looking at the chassis it appears (From the photos of the car) when they moved the engine back, the engine was lowered quite a lot in the chassis too.

[khyndart in CA]

It is time for some more Jerry Melton photos.
Rodger, here is some Austin Healey action in Texas during 1964.

57744

57745

57746
This is an Austin Healey Corvette. Now that would have been interesting drive !


(Jerry Melton photos. )

KJH

[Roger Dowding]

It is time for some more Jerry Melton photos.
Rodger, here is some Austin Healey action in Texas during 1964.

57744

57745

57746
This is an Austin Healey Corvette. Now that would have been interesting drive !


(Jerry Melton photos. )

KJH

Thanks Ken H , KJH, Kyndart, the "Kiwitahi Kid "
Thanks for those photos, Corvette in a 100/6 or 3000, longer wheelbase so a different beast to the NZ ; Healey - Corvette of Arthur Kennard

Cheers, Roger D, from B o P ...

needless to say - Photos stolen already
Cheers again KJH

[khyndart in CA]

Harry Washburn was a driver who enjoyed driving Coopers in the Sixties including this ex F 1 Cooper from the 1961-1965 1 1/2 Litre Formula one era. Cooper T 53 # 3 chassis F 1-15-61.
As quoted in the Oldracing car.com site.
" Cooper T53
F1-15-61

Built for 1961 US GP. Hap Sharp (US) 1961 for US GP. Sold to Alan Connell (US) 1962 for Libre ('Intercontinental') racing in the US in 1962 and later for the 1962 Mexican GP. May have been loaned back to Sharp for the 1962 US GP. John Thompson's The Formula One Record Book lists this as F1-16-61 at the Mexican GP but this car is thought to have been used to create the Zerex Special by then. Note that the T53 demonstrated by Hap Sharp at the Road America 'June Sprints' in 1961 and in 1964, smashing the unofficial lap record on both occasions, is likely to have been his 2.5-litre 1960 Cooper T53 F2-12-60, now in the Indy Museum.

In 1964, the "ex-Alan Connell 2.5 Cooper Formula One car" was raced by Harry Washburn (Shreveport, LA) in a SCCA Regional at Opelousas, LA, winning the Formula Libre class and breaking the track record. He won again at Mansfield, LA in a Red River Region event a week or two later. "

57748

57749
Harry during practice passing one of the outstanding safety features of the GVR, Texas, race track of a hay bale tied to a tree !

57750

(Jerry Melton photos ..1964.)
Here is a report of the racing at that time in Texas.
" The 1964 Green Valley race information comes from a newspaper-type publication called Southwest Racing News. It is the April 27, 1964 issue [Volume 2, Number 4], published in Dallas. It is the only copy of this magazine I have ever seen and I wish I could put my hands on a complete set. Young Carl Haas must have known about the publication, since the back page contained a full ad for his products: Elvas, Stirling Moss Express Parts Service, Coventry-Climax parts and Hewland 5-speed gearboxes: "We deal in all types of race cars", according to Haas Automotive Imports of 5619 North Broadway, Chicago.
Back to the race [held the weekend of April 18-19, 1964]:
" Harry Washburn, husky Louisiana racing ace, continued his winning ways at Green Valley Raceway in the recent Texas Region Divisional SCCA competition, copping the 20-lap feature race over what was perhaps the strongest field ever assembled at Bill McClure's racing hippodrome. Harry's big win did not come easy in his 2.5-liter Cooper-Climax, as he was pitted against Delmo Johnson's powerful Grand Sport Corvette, George Koehne's Genie-Ford, Mason O'Keiff's Lotus Formula Libre, Bill Fuller Jaguar /Chevy, Charlie Barns' Merlyn, Homer Rader's Lotus and Jack Saunders in Herb Stelter's open wheel Kurtis/Chevy."
Results [both races combined CM to FM, Formula Libre and Formula Junior; 25 entries]:
Race 6, preliminary
1. Delmo Johnson, Corvette Grand Sport [CM]
2. Mason O'Keiff, Lotus Formula Libre
3. Harry Washburn, Cooper Formula Libre ["both short axles became unglued"]
4. Jack Saunders, Kurtis Formula Libre

Race 11, Feature Race.
1. Harry Washburn, Cooper Formula Libre
2. Mason O'Keiff, Lotus Formula Libre
3. Bill Fuller, Jaguar D/Chevy [CM]
4. Charlie Barns, Merlyn [FM]
5. Homer Rader, Lotus 23 [FM] "


( Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

In 1959 Harry Washburn was part of the very successful Roosevelt Racing Team driving Fiat-Abarth 750 cc cars.
57762

57763

57766
The Roosevelt Racing Team transporter ready to head out.

57764
A team that included a young Roger Penske.

57765
Also Dan Gurney along with Harry Washburn.

(Clippings thanks to Cliff Reuter )


( Ken H )

[Paul B]

Ken,
Great piece of history of the Fiat Abarth, neat looking car too. I did not know the likes of Gurney & Penske etc. raced these.
I guess they would have been great to drive being very light, nice design by Zagato too, Zagato also continued this type of basic design into the 1961 Zagato Aston Martin which was a beautiful car.
There would be very few of these left now I guess and what would be left would likely command very high eye watering prices.
Great post!
Cheers

[Spgeti]

There is one in NZ Paul.
Denny Hulme and Angus Hyslop won their class in 1961 at Le Mans in an Abarth 850S. They came 14th overall.

[khyndart in CA]

Two Fiat Abarth photos by Jerry Melton about 1964 in Texas.

57776

57777

[khyndart in CA]

Some of the competition that Harry Washburn faced at the SCCA race at Green Valley Raceway. April 1964.
Delmo Johnson in his powerful Corvette Grand Sport.
57778

57784

57780

Bill Fuller in his D Type Jaguar powered by a Chevy engine.
57781

57782

Mason O'Keiff in his Lotus 27 # 21.
"Lotus 27 [27-FM-8] (G Mason O'Keiff): One of the first Lotus 27s to enter the US was chassis 27/FM/8, ordered by Lotus Southwest to be fitted with Lotus-Ford twin-cam engine for regular customer G. Mason O'Keiff (Houston, TX) to race in the SCCA's new libre category in 1964. O'Keiff scored 9 points in SWDiv and qualified for the Run-Offs, where he finished third. His car was then classified as Formula B in 1965 and O'Keiff used it in pro events. His last known appearance in the car was at the Las Vegas race in April 1966."(Oldracingcars.com)

57783


(Jerry Melton photos..)

(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

In Sept. 1968 Jerry Melton was in mid America at the Steel Cities Raceway in Ohio near Detroit and Cleveland.
Today it is known as the Nelson Ledges Raceway.
The 1968 Detroit Region National Championship Races had a wide array of entrants from Alfa Romeos, McLaren Can Am cars to Yenko Stingers.
58866
Alfa Romeo Duetto

58867
An Austin Healey 100

58868
Two 1966 McLaren M1s passing a Bobsy SR 3 (A slight speed difference involved here !)

58869
Richard Fegan in his "Yenko" Stinger.

(Jerry Melton photos.)

What was a Yenko Stinger ?
Read about them at this site.
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hmn/2014/08/1966--69-Yenko-Stinger/3741141.html



(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

The "Bobsy" was a line of sports cars built by Jerry Mong nearby in Ohio. They were well built and popular at that time and came with various engines. Some examples were there in 1968.
58876
Al Beasley in his Bobsy- DKW # 41

58877

58878
Dick Ganger in his Bobsy- Imp # 95

58879
A Bobsy SR2

58880
John Lawrence in his Bobsy SR3 # 76

58881
Chet freeman in his Bobsy SR3 # 31

Some Bobsy information at this site.
https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z13649/bobsy-sr3.aspx


(Jerry Melton photos.)

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H - you are back - good to see more of the Jerry Melton collection, Cheers " The Kiwitahi Kid " from the " Omokoroa Lad ".
Read a bit about the Bobsy in one of my American Books

[khyndart in CA]

Thanks Roger.
Cliff Reuter who gave me permission to use the Jerry Melton photos likes the way they are presented here on TRS and he also enjoys all the different comments etc. so any additional inputs are appreciated.
1968 was the first year of the 3rd generation Chevrolet Corvette, known as a C3 and the Stingray was now one word instead of the earlier Corvettes (1963-67 C2 were Sting Rays) As there were over 20 different engine sizes they often raced in different classes such as AP or BP.

Here are some examples of the C3 Corvette Stingray. Sept. 1968.

58888
Ron Weaver in his C3 # 83

58889

58890
Tony Delorenzo in his C3 # 7

58891

58892

(Jerry Melton photos )


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

In 1968 the Corvette Sting Ray C2 was still a popular car in US regional events such as this.
( I always liked the look of these Corvettes )

58897
Alan Barker in his C2 # 27

58898
Bob Bierneth in Corvette C2 # 10

58899
Bill Schumacher in his Corvette Sting Ray # 69

58900

58901
Hard charging Jerry Thompson in his Corvette C2 # 61

58902


(Jerry Melton photos.)



(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

A bit of Ford power was needed in the field such as ;
James Harrell in his Ford Falcon # 23
58937

Charlie Lowe in his Shelby Cobra 427 # 29
58938

Jack Hurt in his Shelby Cobra 427 # 1
58939

58940

John Mahler in his Shelby Mustang GT 350 # 99
58941

Sydney Finkel in his "Pegasus Racing Team" Shelby GT 350 # 33
58942



(Jerry Melton photos..)



Ken H

[Paul B]

In 1968 the Corvette Sting Ray C2 was still a popular car in US regional events such as this.
( I always liked the look of these Corvettes )

58897
Alan Barker in his C2 # 27


(Jerry Melton photos.)



(Ken H )

Agree Ken The short screens on the C2 Vettes are a great looking machine
cheers from down under

[khyndart in CA]

Thanks Paul.
Here is a good 1968 battle in Ohio between 3 Fords and a Corvette captured by Jerry Melton.
58958



( Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

Sometimes one plunks away not knowing who might be interested in what happened in Mid America in the 1960s and then I was rewarded with a call at work by someone who noted an old friend in one of Jerry Melton's photos who had gone off to Vietnam and not returned and was pleased to see him in a photo here on TRS.
So I will keep on plunking.

A popular Formula Vee in the US in 1968 was a "Zink" built by Ed Zink whose company went on to build many successful formula cars.
https://www.revolvy.com/page/Zink-Cars.

58991
1968 FV Zink. in 1968
(Jerry Melton photo )

A 1968 Zink that was for sale in 2017.
58990
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/03/25/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1968-zink-formula-vee-racer/



(Ken H)

[Paul B]

Keep on plunking away Ken!
There is some neat stuff there and you always have something of interest for all.
Cheers

[Oldfart]

I agree with Paul, always worth a look. Ken do you have any contacts with SVRA in Seattle area?

[khyndart in CA]

Rhys,
The only one I know in that area is, Tony Garmey, who was originally from the Papakura area (I think.) A super guy and very talented.
You can reach him through this site. Horizon Racing.

http://www.horizonracing.com/

I hope that works for you. Cheers,
Ken

[khyndart in CA]

The Formula race in 1968 included Formula B open wheeled cars (1600 cc which became Formula Atlantic in 1979 ) and Formula C open wheeled cars (1100 cc max.), formerly Formula Junior. ( Formula A cars entered these Formula races more in 1969.)
A rare Formula C car at the Steel Cities event in 1968 was the Rassey "Hurricane" FC car
driven by Bob Clemens # 61.
59014

59017

( Jerry Melton photos..)

Here is some information from OldRacingCars.com;
" Bob Clemens (Roseville, Michigan) worked for Chevrolet as a chassis designer, and had raced a Triumph Spitfire in the SCCA G Production class in Central Division from 1963 to 1966. In September 1966, the 34-year-old appeared in a Formula C car, designed by Clemens, built by Rassey Manufacturing, and known as the Rassey Hurricane. Clements raced this car in both local SCCA events and in Pro events over the next couple of seasons. By 1970, Clemens was a chassis and suspension engineer in GM's Corvette division, and acquired a Corvette RS which spent a year as the family runabout before he and mechanic David L. Skibowski reworked it into a Trans-Am car. He ran that car in Trans-Am in 1971 and 1972. He then went on to design the Formula A car for 1974, but his race record in the car is as-yet unknown. "


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Just a slight break in the action to ask questions regarding this 1978 Jerry Melton photo of a Formula 5000 car at a Michigan club race.
How did the driver get in or out in a hurry if he needed to ?
Is this an early version of a F1 type "halo" ?
(I eagerly await your answers. Thanks. Ken H )
59033

(Jerry Melton photo.)

[Allan]

With help from Martin-Baker?

[khyndart in CA]

In case anyone is wondering. " Martin-Baker supplies ejection seats for 93 air forces worldwide."

(Good one Allan.)

KH

[khyndart in CA]

Robert Clift was a brave driver indeed in these Kawasaki powered DSR M-F Specials # 13
First in 1968 he drove this one.
59038

In 1969 Robert was driving this DSR-MF Special. # 13
59039

59040

(Jerry Melton photos. )

[John McKechnie]

Ran twin Kawasaki engines .
Wonder what they were as until 1969, Kawasaki didnt really have any quick engines.
500 Mach 3 was 1969, also 350 Avenger- twin cylinder- rotary valve was a flyer.
Good thing car ran a lucky number.
Another great Hot-rod is Gar Woods 6,400 HP Boat...4 V12 Packards-

https://bangshift.com/general-news/videos/8-ton-sledge-gar-woods-7000hp-miss-america-x-boat-owned-the-world-in-32-and-33-video/?fbclid=IwAR0Vt5NXxZdQhUj_vfAMkoUWsWrgYtJx

[khyndart in CA]

A car seen in 1968 events in the SCCA D Sedan class was the NSU 1000 TTS.
Did any of these reach "Down Under" ? I think NSU went on to become Audi ?
59046

59047
The open rear lid must have been an early type spoiler. (Note this one had the oval headlights..see note below. )
(Jerry Melton photos.)

I found this bit of info. regarding the NSU TTS. (Lane Auto Museum material.)
"NSU 1000 TTS-1967

The NSU 1000 represented a major change for NSU. This model has a four-cylinder, overhead cam engine which is air-cooled and located in the rear. You can see that the styling of the Prinz IV carried over. The 1000 is larger with an 88 inch wheelbase and an overall length of 150 inches. With the quad headlights, the 1000 looks even more like the Chevrolet Corvair. For the U.S. market, the NSU 1000 was altered with the use of quad, round, sealed-beam headlights (the original, oval headlights were still illegal in the USA). Front parking lights and turn signals were round and mounted below the bumper. The wrap-around front blinkers were replaced with a metal panel. Later, front seat headrests were installed, as were other safety features, like front seat shoulder belts and 4-way emergency flashers.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: NSU Motorenwerke AG

Country of Origin: Germany

Drivetrain Configuration: Rear engine, rear wheel drive

Engine: 996cc, 40 hp, 4 cylinder, air cooled

Transmission: 4 speed manual

Top Speed: 85 mph

Years of Production: 1964-72

Number Produced: 207,628

Original Cost: $2,595

https://www.lanemotormuseum.org/collection/cars/item/nsu-1000-tts-1967

Please check this Nashville Tennessee museum as it has some very interesting and unique information on all types of transportation. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

(Ken H)

[SPman]

The original Munch Mamut motorbikes used an NSU engine - up to a 1300 I think. Huge for the time, now, not so much...

[Oldfart]

I know of one NSU in the Waiuku area.

[khyndart in CA]

Rhys,
Was that Tony Garmey information of any use to you on post # 86 ?
Ken.

[Ray Bell]

In Australia the NSU Prinz was a runner in the Armstrong 500 with drivers like Doug Whiteford, Lex Davison, Paul England and hillclimb champion Bruce Walton in 1960.

Whether non-appearance in later races was due to withdrawal from the market or changes in the rules I don't know, but I have never seen anything more recent than the Prinz.

NSU and Auto Union merged in 1969.

[Oldfart]

Rhys,
Was that Tony Garmey information of any use to you on post # 86 ?
Ken.

Thanks, but I haven't tried yet. Needs to be very specific.

[Roger Dowding]

Re ; NSU 1000 TT TTS
A car seen in 1968 events in the SCCA D Sedan class was the NSU 1000 TTS.
Did any of these reach "Down Under" ? I think NSU went on to become Audi ?

Ken H, never seen a race one in NZ, but I have a 1;43 of one with the open engine cover - very Abarth idea, as have a Fiat 600 [ [ 1000 Abarth, and a Simca Abarth coupe with the same set up a great looking little car ..

[khyndart in CA]

The sports car race in 1968 at Steel Cities Raceway included a "Genie" Mark 8 with a Camaro V-8 engine, # 17 driven by Jack Ensley.
59075

59076
(Note the tiny roll bar compared to the later photo below.)

59077
(Jerry Melton photos.)

The Genie was the creation of Joe Huffaker and there is some information at this site which also shows the beautiful craftsmanship involved in making these cars that still look great today.

https://girardo.com/available/1965-huffaker-genie-mk12-can-am/

59078



(Ken H )

[Steve Holmes]

Just a slight break in the action to ask questions regarding this 1978 Jerry Melton photo of a Formula 5000 car at a Michigan club race.
How did the driver get in or out in a hurry if he needed to ?
Is this an early version of a F1 type "halo" ?
(I eagerly await your answers. Thanks. Ken H )
59033

(Jerry Melton photo.)

This would scare the crap out of me!

[Paul B]

Agree Steve, (post #88) It looks like the frame was bolted on after he got in. But there is a rather large void in front of the steering wheel, but that would mean the whole steering column would need to come out to get in & out.
Beats me?
Good pic Ken!
Cheers

[khyndart in CA]

1968 and the Formula B and C class open wheelers were without wings etc.and I always liked how they looked.
For example;
A McLaren M 4-B
59171

59172

A Brabham 21A
59173

59174

59175

59176
(This could be a NZ scene such as Renwick etc. but it is in Ohio. USA. Nothing fancy but it was all enjoyed by everyone and well captured by Jerry Melton.)


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Between the track and the parking lot, British engineering is very much on display here in mid America, in this photo, as the Lotus 51 # 22 takes to the grass inside the Brabham BT21 A # 76.

59177

(Jerry Melton photo..)

[khyndart in CA]

The Lotus 51 back on the track with the tyres showing signs of being a bit in the rough.
59186

A 1965 Cooper T 75 # 10
59187

59188

An Elva 300
59189

An early Russell- Alexis # 2
59190

59191
(Jerry Melton photos)
Here is a site describing the Russell-Alexis story. (I like the look of that Mini Cooper beside it.)

http://www.britishracecar.com/JeffSnook-Alexis-Mk14.htm

(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

In the SCCA Sports car race a few Can Am cars were entered along with others including a Lotus 11 so there was a rather large speed differential !
The winner after 10 laps was Bob Nagel in his recently purchased 1968 Lola T70 Mk3 – chassis SL73/128.
( from Carl Haas who had drivers Chuck Parsons and Skip Scott drive it for him.) Bob was a privateer and drove in sports cars until 1977 and passed away a few years ago at the grand age of 91.
Bob had the original Bartz-Chevrolet 365cid 5900cc V8 engine replaced with a Ford 427cid 7000cc V8 and entered here for this event.
(One of the few events he had any success.) Car # 24
59264

59265

59266

59267

59268
Jerry Melton photos.

This car has been on the market a couple of times and now here is your chance folks to purchase one of the last Lola T 70 Spider (Open cars ) built.
First at Bonhams in 2006. https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/14261/lot/227/?category=list

And today I think it is again for sale at this site (Just in time for Xmas !) in Belgium with a well documented history etc.
https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/87491/1968-lola-t70-mk3---chassis-sl73128


(Ken H )

[Bruce302]

These pics keep getting better, Thanks Ken.

[Paul B]

Agree Bruce,
I could only imagine sitting on the side line and hearing those Can Ams blasting away. Music to my ears

[khyndart in CA]

Paul,
The older McLaren Can Am cars would often be found at these SCCA sports car races. At this meet in Ohio there were two 1965/66 McLaren M1Bs that were chasing the 1968 Bob Nagel Lola T 70. One was driven by Don Eichstaedt in McLaren # 16 and the other was Dave Causey driving McLaren # 54.
59311

59312

59313
Sometimes Causey tried a bit too hard !

The # 16 McLaren M1 B was driven by Don Eichstaedt and the next post will show what an interesting history this car had.
(Note;It had a 351-W Cobra/Ford V-8. The engine was equipped with downdraft Weber racing carburetors. )
59314

59315

59316

(Jerry Melton photos..)

[khyndart in CA]

The Don Eichstaedt 1965 McLaren M1 B history.
59317

https://1965mclarenm1b.weebly.com/historical-background.html



(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

A fine little British sports car was the Turner, but sadly the company went into liquidation in 1966
Here is a nice example captured by Jerry Melton in 1968.
59340

I have to admit I did not know much about these cars but this site has a heap of info. especially if you do the power point presentation.
http://www.turnersportscars.co.uk/

(Ken H )

[Paul B]

Paul,
The older McLaren Can Am cars would often be found at these SCCA sports car races. At this meet in Ohio there were two 1965/66 McLaren M1Bs that were chasing the 1968 Bob Nagel Lola T 70. One was driven by Don Eichstaedt in McLaren # 16 and the other was Dave Causey driving McLaren # 54.

Sometimes Causey tried a bit too hard !

The # 16 McLaren M1 B was driven by Don Eichstaedt and the next post will show what an interesting history this car had.
(Note;It had a 351-W Cobra/Ford V-8. The engine was equipped with downdraft Weber racing carburetors. )
59314


59316

(Jerry Melton photos..)

They are great looking machines Ken, that has got to be a bucket list thing to drive a Can Am car!
At decent pace!

[khyndart in CA]

Even though this is a 1966 listing, note how few if any US built cars competed in most SCCA classes except the "big banger""A & B classes in 1968-69.
Plenty of English & European vehicles before the "Asian Invasion " or " Too soon for Datsun" etc..

59358




p.s. If anyone has tried to email me recently I am sorry we have not had email since Dec. 23rd and may not have it back until next year !

(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Some of the British cars racing in 1968 at the Steel Cities Raceway event.

59359
A Sunbeam Alpine driven by Nancy Frost.

59360
An Austin Healey Sprite driven by Don Miller

59361
Don Munoz in his MGB.

59362
William Larson in his Lotus Seven.

59363

59364
Two Mini Coopers back in the day of "bungee cord" bonnet straps.

(Jerry Melton photos. )

[khyndart in CA]

Two of the Porsche at the 1968 event.
59365
Jim Osborne in his Porsche 356 pulling into pit road while an MGA is being worked on in the background.

59366
Fred Baker competing in his beautiful Porsche 906.
(Jerry Melton photos. )
The 906 Porsche has become a very sought after car today and worth over $ 2 million USD at some sales
(Do check this information on the Porsche 906.)

https://petrolicious.com/articles/here-s-how-the-porsche-carrera-6-helped-change-history-forever


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

Jerry Melton often photographed events at the Waterford Hills circuit near Detroit, Michigan.
As you can see in these 1968 photos the track safety features left some room for improvement !
59485

59486
Shouldn't that picnic table and bench be at least on the other side of the fence ?
59487

59488
The rewards for winning the Formula V race !

59489
Plus you might also have had the opportunity to get to meet Miss Michigan 1968.
Darlene Kurant Follett, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, 1968
(Jerry Melton photos..)

[khyndart in CA]

Although he tried his best the driver of this Shelby Cobra 289 # 196 had some difficulty keeping his machine on the track.
59510

59511

59516

59527

59512
(Jerry Melton photos)

[khyndart in CA]

In 1969 one of the vehicles competing at Waterford Hills was this Holman-Moody modified Ford Challenger # 3
59531
(Jerry Melton photo..)

It was possibly one of these being built at the Holman-Moody workshop in 1968.(No the window pillar is slanted in the other direction.)
59533

This 1967 photo shows what a fine facility Holman- Moody had for all their various Ford racing preparations.
59532


(Ken H )

[Steve Holmes]

In 1969 one of the vehicles competing at Waterford Hills was this Holman-Moody modified Ford Challenger # 3
59531
(Jerry Melton photo..)

It was possibly one of these being built at the Holman-Moody workshop in 1968.(No the window pillar is slanted in the other direction.)
59533

This 1967 photo shows what a fine facility Holman- Moody had for all their various Ford racing preparations.
59532


(Ken H )

Brilliant pics Ken. The middle photo shows the new HM Ford Torino stock cars being built for the 1968 NASCAR season. These were built using a custom made frame onto which were hung steel body panels. I believe HM retained some of their 1967 Fairlanes which they then re-bodied as Torinos for '68.

[khyndart in CA]

Bobby Unser's Holman-Moody prepared 1972 Ford Gran Torino # 41 at Sonoma, June 2018.

59537
(K Hyndman photo)

Some info about this car at this site.

http://www.mustangandfords.com/featured-vehicles/16162-1972-nascar-torino/




(Ken H)

[Paul B]

Great pics Ken of Holman Moody in their hey day.

[khyndart in CA]

Paul,
This could be your next move as they need good men at H-M at this time. (You could be living a dream! )
59551



(Ken)

[Paul B]

Now wouldn't that be cool Ken, That spins my wheels in every direction!

[khyndart in CA]

In 1969 General Motors certainly got hit hard with this fine !

"1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
1969 had marked the sales debut of the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am however the car's smallest engine was well over the 5000cc maximum set by the series at the time and it was not used in the 1969 championship. In using the name Trans Am, a registered trademark, General Motors agreed to pay $5 per car sold to the SCCA."

59642



(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Jerry Melton also photographed the Hollman-Moody Ford Challenger at the recently opened track at the Michigan International Speedway in April 1969. An SCCA event was held to sort out the new track before the first race of the Trans-Am series in May.
The infield course that linked up with the high speed banked oval had been designed with input from Stirling Moss.
With all of Jerry Melton's photos of these two events at the speedway there is almost enough material to write a book including some that I covered last year in a thread about Horst Kwech.
59690

59691

59692


(More to come..)
(Ken H)

[Roger Dowding]

" With all of Jerry Melton's photos of these two events at the speedway there is almost enough material to write a book including some that I covered last year in a thread about Horst Kwech. "

Would like to see that Ken H, - but between " Her indoors " and Moss Motors - would you have the time ??.

Thanks for all your " inputs ".

[khyndart in CA]

Roger
When I see you at Taupo I will explain to you then my methods of madness !
Ken

[khyndart in CA]

Roger,
This is for you. April 1969
An Austin Healey 3000 # 22 on the banking at the Michigan Speedway...
59709

There was plenty of space on pit road at the speedway
59710

A Lotus Seven tucks in behind the Healey. This is before the weather changed.
59711
(Jerry Melton photos.)



(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Some of the smaller cars raced well on the high speed oval part of the track.
59731
Start of the small sedan class race.

59732

59733
Evan though the Alfa Romeo Giulietta ran well it could only climb to second place.

59734
It was the Austin Mini Cooper of Art Sutphin # 53 that came through for the win in the C sedan class race. (Sorry Bruce D !)

Jerry Milton photos

[Spgeti]

Apart from the Alfa 105 GTV2000 I also have a Riley Elf...

[khyndart in CA]

Sorry Bruce, I won't pick on you anymore !

Some class winners at Michigan in April 1969.
59771
D Sedan class winner was Frank Mueller in his NSU # 34

59772

59773

59774
Ralph Darlington in his Ferrari Dino # 66 B Class S/R winner.


59775
Formula Ford winner Jimmy Clarke in his Lotus 51 # 4

(Jerry Melton photos..)



(Ken H)

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H, love that NSU Prinz 1000 TT - with the open tail .. cheers

[khyndart in CA]

The US had some entertaining starters /"flaggies at some of their circuits.
Jerry Melton captured "Super Starter" Ed Houlihan in action in 1969.
60316

60317

But none could compare to the antics of "Tex" Hopkins at Watkins Glen over several years.
60318

60319
1966 and Jim Clark is waved home as the winner of the USGP in his Lotus 43 and the only win for the H16 BRM engine.

60320
1967 and Jim Clark is the winner again in his Lotus 49 # 5

60321
Tex was still going strong in 1971 as he waves winner, Peter Revson, over the line at the end of the 1971 Watkins Glen Can-Am race, driving his McLaren M8F # 7


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

One more of Ed Houlihan at the start of the infamous 1969 Trans-Am race at Michigan International Speedway. May 11th 1969.
60358
Jerry Melton photo.

This was the first race of the 1969 Trans Am campaign.
Cars in photo from left to right.
Horst Kwech in his ill fated Mustang # 2, just ahead of Mark Donohue in his Penske 1969 Camaro # 6
Jerry Titus is in a white 1968 Pontiac Firebird # 27 behind Milt Minter's 1968 Firebird # 37.
Race winner Parnelli Jones is in his 1969 Mustang # 15 and George Follmer is in his 1969 Mustang # 16

(Ken H )

[Bruce302]

Great photos Ken, Thank you for putting them on line. The last one is one of my favorites.

Bruce.

[Trevor Sheffield]

Great photos Ken, Thank you for putting them on line. The last one is one of my favorites.

Bruce.

Laurie Powell would have given this guy a wake up call.

The correct technique is to carefully not disclose any muscle movement heralding the drop of the flag. A skilful driver watches for this preparatory signal and immediately acts accordingly. Laurie was not inclined towards personal showmanship, knew what he was doing and was true to the business in hand. He was proud that he always presided over clean starts.

Trevor.

[khyndart in CA]

Trevor,
I don't think the Formula One or Trans-Am organizations would have had these guys around for long if they did not do their duties correctly. ( They wanted the complete field from front to the rear make sure they saw the flag being waved. )
I think the main difference is what you correctly term as "personal showmanship" (That is big in the USA unlike NZ !)

(Ken H)

[Trevor Sheffield]

Trevor,
I don't think the Formula One or Trans-Am organizations would have had these guys around for long if they did not do their duties correctly. ( They wanted the complete field from front to the rear make sure they saw the flag being waved. )
I think the main difference is what you correctly term as "personal showmanship" (That is big in the USA unlike NZ !)

(Ken H)

Ken,

In places where motor racing has not become "Showmansjhip", it is logical and common practice for the starter to be provided with a podium. LOL

[khyndart in CA]

Back to the April SCCA Meet at Michigan.
John Martin was a driver for the Ron Kaplan AMC Javelin # 4.
John at 29 yrs old, had worked his way up from being a mechanic, crew chief, test driver and then given an opportunity to drive in Trans-Am.
60367
Note the rear spoiler that was only used at this event on the Javelin in 1969.
(Which probably means this was a 1968 team car.)

60368

60369

60370
Coming up to the start and Ed Houlihan's flag.

Jerry Melton photos

John went on to win the A Sedan Class race that weekend.

(Ken H)

[Roger Dowding]

Laurie Powell would have given this guy a wake up call.

The correct technique is to carefully not disclose any muscle movement heralding the drop of the flag. A skilful driver watches for this preparatory signal and immediately acts accordingly. Laurie was not inclined towards personal showmanship, knew what he was doing and was true to the business in hand. He was proud that he always presided over clean starts.

Trevor.

Very Good summary of the very popular Racer and later Starter .. Cheers ..and to Ken H - yes US = Showmanship .. can you still say that in this PC world ??

[khyndart in CA]

Some information on the AMC Javelin, John Martin and Ron Kaplan etc.
"AMC contracted Kaplan Engineering in 1968 to run two AMC Javelins in the SCCA's Trans-Am Series. Ron Kaplan and Jim Jeffords constructed three cars; two for racing and one for shows and demonstrations. The following year Jeffords left the team and Kaplan was contracted to run the program. Pulling from his development the previous year Kaplan produced three more cars, two for AMC, and one for his own uses with his own finances.
The original drivers chosen for 1968 were George Follmer as #1 and Peter Revson as #2. Unfortunately Revson was soon let go following a disagreement with management. Lothar Motschenbach was picked up by the team for the next two races in Canada.
Racing was an immediate success for AMC during the first year. The team was called a 'Cinderella' team after quickly establishing a record as the only factory entry to finish every Trans Am race entered placing third in the over-2-liter class of the 1968 series. The AMC team continued to improve and for 1968 they suffered only one DNF from an engine problem. Many of the engine problems that year were quickly corrected by Kaplan and his professional staff. Kaplan was proactive about correcting problems and fixing the engine oiling problems. Halfway through the season Kaplan began development of a dual-carb cross manifold and a new engine casting.
First Watt's link rear suspension was developed before the front anti-dive modifications were next. Kaplan was in quite a rush to meet AMC's timing schedule so the basic design of the inner fender components were actually copied from a Mustang. Two more degrees of anti-dive was added to the Mustang's 4 degrees. Kaplan finished the drawings and sent them to the factory before the manufacturing of the parts was then contracted to Central Stamping. Unfortunately there wasn't capacity to fit the components to the unibody on the '69 assembly line, so Ron had to incorporate them into the cars once they arrived in his shop as bodies in white.
The team began the 1968 season with two engines from TRACO, but the single carb layout and the basic two-bolt-main block carried serious limitations for generating power. Kaplan went to Vic Edlebrock for assistance in developing a cross-ram manifold. Edlebrock personally assisted Kaplan in addition to loaning him a pattern maker. Champion Sparkplugs also assisted Kaplan and allowed him to use their dyno room to tweak any design issues.
Dan Byer, a retired engineer from AMC helped Kaplan develop a new block casting towards the end of 1968. More mass for 4-bolt mains were added to the original AMC 390 drawings and improvement for the oiling system. Central Foundries in Windsor (ON) was contracted for a very small production run of only 50 blocks. Kaplan was responsible for cleaning up the blocks from the sand casting, hone the various passage before sending them to AMC's 'Parts Central' in Kenosha. All of the blocks were painted bright orange so Kaplan could identify them easily on the transfer line. 12 of these special castings were drawn on during his development program while two were eventually sold to customers.
During this period Kaplan's race program contact was replaced by AMC with two new men: John Voelbel and Chris Schoenlip. Unfortunately these two men didn't have a background in the automotive industry and were inexperienced with racing. These men were responsible for not submitting homologation papers and failing to enter the parts to the official AMC parts system. Unfortunately this mistake cost them when Kaplan sent the first car, an older 1968 car with a new engine, to run at the first race of the '69 season at Jackson, MI. Because they were late, and hadn't qualified, the team had to do some consensus building with other racers to permit them to enter. The SCCA eventually agreed to let them run, but they started last, within 10 laps, but within ten laps they were chasing Donohue down and the time differential was rapidly narrowed. SCCA requested to see the AMC engine but the car had been sent home already. The SCCA wanted to tear down the engine before the race started at Lime Rock, but Kaplan argued that the same should be down to the Mustangs and Camaros also. The SCCA chose to allow the AMC's to run though this would only be temporary until the parts could be homologated. AMC eventually assigned a part number after the SCCA program and two blocks were sold later to customers.
The 1969 season began with John Martin as #3 and Ron Grable as #4. Martin was released midseason and replaced by Jerry Grant. Kaplan approached AMC management at this time and proposed that the whole concept behind the 1969 contract be modified. Kaplan requested that AMC rather than competing in actual races instead that they go to the tracks on the subsequent Mondays and run a developmental program using Sunday's winning times as the benchmark. AMC did not agree and Kaplan was left to run the year with the current engines on hand, even though the old engines weren't competitive and the new engines weren't recognized. Results were poor since the older style engines weren't competitive. Budget cuts were also in effect.
Kaplan dropped all of AMC's material at their zone office in El Segundo, California and took a month of person time to collect his thoughts. Unfortunately once he returned it was too late and a deal had been brokered with Roger Penske. Kaplan was out of a job.
All of the team cars and equipment were picked up from the El Segundo offices by Penske and shipped to his Pennsylvania shop. Penske used the #3 Jerry Grant car for developmental purposes through the latter half of 1969. After receiving the 1969 cars, Penske learned the Kaplan had done much suspension work but still believed more improvements could be made. Several months of development were made before Penske felt that the team had a car that was ready to perform. Penske built brand new cars for his own team at this time and sold all of the earlier Kaplan cars and equipment. Mark Donahue was now in charge of selling off the inventory."
(Conceptcarz article)

Ron Kaplan talking with John Martin. 1969.
60386

Plus a 1969 AMC promotional movie of the 1968 Trans Am season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDJ6BhUrsak

Some more 1968 competition AMC Javelin information at this site;
http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/773-AMC-Javelin%20Trans-Am-V8


( Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

John Martin's main competition at M.I.S. in April 1969 was the popular driver Dick Lang who had a Chevrolet dealership in Ohio and drove a 1968 Camaro Z-28 with his favorite number 85.
60405


60406
Here you can see how the infield of the speedway was still being prepared after a harsh winter and the Trans Am race was just a few weeks away.

60407
Dick Lang allowed his friend , Mark Donohue, do a few laps in his Camaro to get accustomed to the track that went from speedway to the infield at very awkward angles, before the upcoming opening race of the 1969 Trans Am series.

60409
Dick Lang at speed on the infield area of the circuit.
(Jerry Melton photos.)


A nice family tribute to Dick Lang who passed away in 2010.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2Ewp599vbM




(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

Some more Chevrolet products at Michigan, April 1969.

Bill Schmitt in his Chevrolet Corvair # 46
60505

Mark Childs in his C-2 Corvette # 67
60506

Ron Weaver in his AP Class winning C-3 Corvette #10
60507

A slower Corvette gave Ron plenty of room as he came up to pass.
60508

Ron Weaver coming toward the finish line.
60509
(Jerry Melton photos..)

(Ken H)

[Roger Dowding]

Some more Chevrolet products at Michigan, April 1969.

Bill Schmitt in his Chevrolet Corvair # 46
60505

Mark Childs in his C-2 Corvette # 67
60506

Ron Weaver in his AP Class winning C-3 Corvette #10
60507

A slower Corvette gave Ron plenty of room as he came up to pass.
60508

Ron Weaver coming toward the finish line.
60509
(Jerry Melton photos..)

(Ken H)

Ken, The C2 and C3 seem to have a high Ride Height for racers - big tyres - high profile too !!
Great shots .. Thanks.

[khyndart in CA]

One of the English sports cars entered at Michigan was this Turner # 47.
I always considered them a neat little unit.
60559
(Jerry Melton photo..)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F66EkcKXOJA



(Ken H..)

[khyndart in CA]

A little bit more of British cars. (Lotus )

60560
Robert La Zebnik in his Lotus Cortina # 76

60561
A Lotus Europa.

60562
A Lotus Seven. (With aerodynamic headlights )
(Jerry Melton photos..)

[khyndart in CA]

Some European vehicles racing at Michigan.

60564
An Alfa Romeo GTA

60565
A Porsche 356

60566
A Porsche 911

60567
A beautiful and now very valuable Porsche 904 (Carrera GTS ) # 90 driven by Carl Armstrong.

60568
Jerry Melton photos..

[khyndart in CA]

A bit about the Porsche 904.
A great sound of this 904 at Spa. (Note the contents of the garage at the end of this Youtube clip.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6_QT6Y1NAY

A Porsche 904 has been a pretty good investment over the years !
Yearly Averages
Year Average Sale High Sale Low Sale # of Sales
2018 $2,295,160 $2,295,160 $2,295,160 1
2017 $1,925,000 $2,310,000 $1,540,000 2
2015 $1,642,530 $1,650,000 $1,635,060 2
2014 $1,741,117 $1,741,117 $1,741,117 1
2013 $1,815,075 $1,936,693 $1,595,000 3
2011 $1,127,500 $1,210,000 $1,045,000 2
2003 $253,000 $253,000 $253,000 1


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Some of the US cars at MIS in April 1969.

60596

60597

Mustangs heading onto the speedway banking where they were much more comfortable than in the infield section.

60598

60599
Gerald Geishart's Cobra did not make it through the first lap.
Jerry Melton photos.

[khyndart in CA]

From this race meet it was found that the bigger cars were bottoming out as they exited the banked speedway to the infield course.
As the next Trans Am meet was in just a few weeks on May 11th 1969, much work had to done to the track to bring it up to specs.
By altering the track the drainage was affected and a lot of unexpected rain led to miserable conditions and poor track quality.
One area that could not be improved in time was in the infield area where the cars were launched and came back down hard.
60647
The launching in the infield section.
60648
And the landing as shown by Mark Donohue in his 1969 Penske Camaro # 6
(Ron Lathrop photos..)

This would be one of the reasons for the Trans-Am event to be looked back on as a "Trans-Am Travesty at Michigan." (Sports Car Graphic" July 1969.
I could have put in more of Jerry Melton's photos of this event but I found that it is all covered by this excellent thread by Jon Mello
in this Camaros.org forum from 2011. (Do read all the enclosed magazine articles also.)
The race was known as the " 1969 Wolverine Trans-Am Race"

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=38a0ccc7bc03c37de9fe323a4b4551c6&topic=8328.0



(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

In September 1969 Jerry Melton returned to the Michigan Speedway for an SCCA Nationals event hoping things would have improved since the April mess and this one was held just 1 week before big 1969 Can Am Series event was to take place.
60715
"Mabel, we are going to pick up Stan and Doris and head to the track to watch some racin'"

60716
On the way to the track and Harry Heuer's Lola T 70 is being refueled.

60717
In 1969 92 octane fuel was about 27 cents @ gallon and the T 70 held about 50 US Gallons so the fill up would have cost about
$ 13.50.US. (Read that and weep compared to today's AV gas prices !)

60718
Harry Heuer about to head out onto the track in his Lola T 70 # 22.

(Jerry Melton photos..)

[Paul B]

Ken,
Great shots that Jerry managed to take, that was a huge bottom out in the Penske Camaro. Love the Lola T70 shots, great looking machine! Find me one to restore!
Cheers from downunder
P

[928]

the T70 getting fueled reminds of the pump behind the pits at brands hatch

[khyndart in CA]

Here is some history of the Frank Kloski's 1966 Lola T70 # 22.

" SL71/27 Chevrolet 1966-03-15 Gr.7 Charles Bridges => Robin Darlington (9/1966) => David Bridges (4/1967) => Frank Kloski, USA (1968) => John Bunch, USA => {inherited from husband} Marcia Bunch, USA => John Starkey, USA (2008) => Lilo Beuziron, USA (2008) => Keith Newcombe (2010~2015) In 1970 damaged in accident during SCCA National race in Road Atlanta, repaired, painted yellow & black. But after having given up on his Can-Am adventure, Frank Kloski rented the car to Don Devine for he next season.

Paul,
This site is especially for you mate, regarding a John Mecom 1965 Lola T 70
(Mecom had several of these T 70s..smart man.)
https://williamianson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1965-Lola-T70-Spyder.pdf
60723


(Ken H)

[Paul B]

Thanks Ken, great site, fantastic history on the short wheelbase car.
Cheers for that!

[khyndart in CA]

Dean Causey was there with his McLaren M6A/1 # 51 which was the car that Bruce McLaren drove to win the 1967 Can-Am Series.
'Chassis Engine Year Group First owner Next owners (year) Comment
M6A/1 Chevrolet 1967 Gr.7 McLaren Cars => Roger Penske (1968) => Jerry Hansen (1968) => Dave Causey (1969) => Lynn Larson => Harry Matthews (~1999) => Griot (2009~2012) This was the car McLaren won the 1967 Can-Am Championship. It was sold to Penske. He ran the car in USRRC. Bruce McLaren's car was quite different than other M6's. It had a 4" shorter wheelbase. This can be seen in the doors as this is where they shortened the body. The tub was also different, with extensive use of lightening holes in the bulkheads and the bracing in the front was different. Magnesium sheeting was also used in some places. The car was extensively rebuilt when owned by Lynn Larson."

60733


60734
(Jerry Melton photos..)

[khyndart in CA]

The A and B Sports Racing classes included this, what I consider one of the best looking Ferraris. A Ferrari 365 P2/3 Drogo version built for the NART in the mid 60s. This car is worth millions today but in 1969 it was just part of the field !
Major William Cooper's Ferrari #21.
60744

60745

60746

60747

60748

60749
Another one racing there was Michael Rahal, who was Bobby's father. He was driving a Porsche 906 # 8.
He was also a very good driver like his son and grandson, Graham.
He passed away in 2017.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/obituaries/ct-michael-rahal-obituary-met-20170531-story.html

(Jerry Melton photos..)


(KH)

[khyndart in CA]

To make the racing interesting for everyone involved they put all of these classes; A, B, C & Ford together in one race !
Which led to a field that looked like this.
60756

60757
The two Formula A drivers,Dick Jacobs in a Lola T-140 and Curt Reinhold in a F/A McKee, seen here discussing tactics on overtaking.

60758
Dick Jacobs in his Lola T-140 # 25
(Jerry Melton photos..)

I was thinking this big old beast looked familiar even after almost 50 years and realized I had photographed this car at Laguna Seca last August with Paul Kuhl,driving.
60759
(Note the exhaust system compared to 1969.)
(Ken H photo..)
Also captured there at Laguna Seca by the lovely photos of Robyn Pass Handy.(Thanks Robyn )
60760

60761


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

The ""Team Nappi" Formula A car was a McKee Mk 12/12C # 41 driven by Kurt Reinold.
With Eagles, McLarens and Lolas now dominating the front of the grid, the McKees were well down the grid in Pro racing, but they were successful in Central Division SCCA Formula A.
A problem McKee had when building this car was how to fit Reinhold's 6 ft 5 in. frame in !
60768

60769
(Jerry Melton photos.. )

Kurt Reinold raced my 1969 McKEE F5000 Mk12C from 1969 through 1971 to many 1st place finishes, setting many track lap records, and winning a Championship. Here is a quick history on Kurt's racing career.
Kurt Reinold came up through the ranks in SCCA. He started as a corner worker, but moved quickly to racing cars. Kurt started his racing career in 1965 in an Autodynamics Formula Vee. He finished fourth in the Central Division and won SCCA’s National Rookie Driver of the Year Award. In 1966 and 1967 he raced a B Production Corvette Stingray. He finished fourth in the Central Division in 1966, and took second place in 1967, missing first place by one point. In 1968 he campaigned a ’68 McKEE F5000 Mk8 in the Continental Series and finished seventh in the series. Kurt had another new car for the 1969 season. It was a ’69 McKEE F5000 Mk12. He raced this car in F5000 races from 1969 through 1971. In his Mk12C Kurt won eight SCCA National races, and set eight lap records at eight National events. He won SCCA’s Central Division in 1970, and won the June Sprints at Road America in 1971. In 1971, Kurt was named SCCA’s Central Division Drivers Licensing Chairman. In 1975 Kurt was honored by SCCA’s Blackhawk Valley Region with the “Race Driver of the Decade” award. Concurrently, during the years Kurt was racing his F5000, he also raced Formula Ford and won numerous races between 1968 through 1971.
Owners/Drivers (information is from car's Log Books):
1. Tito Nappi (owner)/Kurt Reinold (driver) 1969 – 08/1971
2. C.J. Solomone (owner/driver) 05/05/72 – 10/15/72
3. Anthony M. Kestian (owner/driver) 10/29/72 – 02/27/74
4. Donald G. DeMaagd (owner/driver) 02/28/74 – 10/13/2005
5. Paul J. Dudiak (owner/driver) 10/14/2005 –
Car Specs:
Description of Car: McKEE Formula 5000 Mk12C
Year:1969
Chassis Manufacturer: McKEE Engineering – 300 type stainless steel tube
Engine Manufacturer: Chevy V8
Engine Displacement: 302 ci
Carburetors: 4 - IDA 48 Webers
Transmission Manufacturer: Hewland
Transmission Model: LG600
Tire sizes: Front - 11.0 x 15 / Rear - 13.0 x 15"

(http://www.teamdudiakracing.com/aboutme.htm ..information )


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

In the Sept. 1969 A Production Class group were two C-3 Corvettes driven by Jerry Thompson in car # 6 and Tony DeLorenzo in car # 1.These two would go on to have very successful racing careers. Over the next few seasons, if Thompson didn’t win, DeLorenzo did. The pair scored 22 straight victories, and their red-and-white Corvettes became legendary.
60811

60812

60813
(Jerry Melton photos..)

60814
Jerry Thompson..

A nice article about Jerry and Tony.
https://www.corvette-mag.com/issues/55/articles/winning-streak#.XH4vsohKjIV

60815


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

Just when you thought you had got rid of me, I have come across some more Jerry Melton photos of racing at a small Michigan track named Waterford Hills, these cover a decade from 1969-1979 and I enjoy his many, mostly B&W, photos and I enjoy presenting them with sometimes adding a bit of extra information along the way. These are mostly unheard of drivers but they seemed to enjoy having this opportunity to compete. The bigger classes were mostly American cars and the smaller classes were mostly British or Porsche.
Even some of the cars in the parking lot were interesting.
July 1969. Waterford Hills. Michigan.
61427
A beautiful Ferrari 340 Mexico 0224 /AT

61428
"American Iron" race.

61429

61430
Austin Healey 3000s coming and going ! (Around.)

61431
The smaller classes BS, D and E dominated by the British and Germans.

(Jerry Melton photos.)

Ken H

[John McKechnie]

Is that because America was not building anything smaller than a Mustang..except for the Crossley Hotshot?

[Spgeti]

Is that because America was not building anything smaller than a Mustang..except for the Crossley Hotshot?
From memory John they actually raced the Ford Pinto in under 2.5 Litre Challenge.

[khyndart in CA]

Remember this is 1969 and the Pinto first came along in 1971.

[Roger Dowding]

Remember this is 1969 and the Pinto first came along in 1971.

Meanwhile the " Big Healey "a small car by American standards had been around since 1953 !! Thanks for the photo's Ken H.

[khyndart in CA]

So Roger, what is the number on the first Healey 3000 ? With some white paint it could easily be 20 or 26 even 23.
The car looks like it had had a bit of a rough life !

(Ken H.)

[Ray Bell]

Maybe it's a rough attempt at '28'?

Funny, I never considered the Austin Healeys to be 'big Healeys' until the 3000 came along.

Corvairs were smaller than Mustangs, by the way, as were Falcons but not your average Valiant/Dart (225), Crosley Hotshots were long gone by the sixties. And while Corvairs were also out of production by 1969, I'm sure some were still racing.

Then there might be a 4-cyl Chevy II, maybe a 4-cyl Tempest?

[John McKechnie]

At last, someone who gets Crosley Hotshots,thank you Ray.

[Ray Bell]

There's one in the Ford Museum in Detroit...

A little way across from the Ford-Ferguson tractor.

[Roger Dowding]

So Roger, what is the number on the first Healey 3000 ? With some white paint it could easily be 20 or 26 even 23.
The car looks like it had had a bit of a rough life !

(Ken H.)

I'd have to hedge my bets obviously " 2 " first which appears to be partly covered over the the second number is ;
Zero " 0 "
Three " 3 "
Six " 6 "
or an ...
eight " 8 " ..
a timekeepers nightmare .. it seems that some more tape needed.
A bit like a digital clock the default number is Eight " 8 " ..

[khyndart in CA]

It is no wonder the foreign makes dominated the small capacity fields in 1969 when the only US opposition would have probably been the 4 cylinder 153 cu. in.(2.51 L) engine Chevy Nova which was too big a size for those classes and was a slug and most of those engines were used in US Postal trucks to deliver the mail !
So I guess being competitive in small bore class racing was not of importance to US auto manufacturers in 1969.

[khyndart in CA]

This C-2 Corvette Stingray had some difficulty at this corner as a Triumph TR 4 glides past.
61444

61445

61446

61447
A Corvette and a Shelby GT 350 battle it out.
(Jerry Melton photos.)

Ken H

[Ray Bell]

Even after the spin the Corvette's ahead of the TR4...

[Milan Fistonic]

At last, someone who gets Crosley Hotshots,thank you Ray.

61454

[Ray Bell]

The Crosley at the Ford Museum:

https://i.postimg.cc/rmpqYk7P/0419fordmuseumcrosley.jpg

[khyndart in CA]

Not a common sight on US tracks in 1969.
A Saab Sonnet.
61469
(Jerry Melton photo..)

[John McKechnie]

As you say Ken...thats not a sight you see every day.,yet you must have seen many of them as the car was made for the lucrative USA market and not really for the ABBA home keepers..
It is actually spelled Sonett..translates from Swedish to English as ..its so neat.
This will be a Sonnett 2 with the power bulge in the bonnet to accommodate the V4 1600cc from the Ford Taunus.

[khyndart in CA]

The Saab Sonett # 97 seemed to be able mix in well with the others including some specials.
61482

61483

This CSR special looks like it is Lotus Seven based.
61484

This is a neat little DSR class special perhaps based on the previous Kawasaki engined special.
61485

This is a Devin Special with some added information.
61486

http://www.devinspecial.com/

(Jerry Melton photos, July 1969.)


(Ken H.)

[Roger Dowding]

" Just when you thought you had got rid of me " your comment from several posts ago on this thread.

Ken H, please don't go. we need your " inputs " !!

PS ; love that Devin SS too !!

PPS going to borrow those AH photo's and probably a TR or Two,Too !!

PPPS ; as mentioned on the Car Show thread - Moss Motors had a stand at the LA Car Show recently - were you there ?
This TR6 was on the stand.

61487

This car was also there -Jay Leno owns it !!

61488

[khyndart in CA]

Thanks Roger,
I sometimes feel that I take up too much TRS space so I slowed it down a bit but then I need my "fix" and start up again much to the despair of some of my workmates who see me on TRS during the day!

I also did not go to that LA car show although that TR6 is just in the next building as they try to sort out some running gremlins.

Your inputs and humour are also appreciated.
Cheers,
Ken

[Ray Bell]

Are we to conclude that the TR6's ignition has been tampered with?

Modern-style coils mounted low down, crank trigger ignition?

[khyndart in CA]

Ray,
That is a prototype of what we hope will be the next generation TR 6 Supercharger system.
The first type had a modified Holley 2300 downdraft carb. which after a while did not work so well.
I can't say much more except it is a GM type coil pack ignition with a single point fuel injection system.
Moss has made a special throttle body, it has sensors for throttle position, crankshaft and MAP etc.
The original distributor is in there so the tachometer cable can be utilized.

p.s. It is not on the market yet.

Ken

[khyndart in CA]

It is always good to see someone has done well after being a race driver.
Bill Marsh is a good example, as he has established a very successful Auto Group with his family at Traverse City and Saginaw in the state of Michigan.

61489
Bill Marsh in his Formula B / 2 Brabham BT 21. July 1969.
(Jerry Melton photo.)

A site regarding Bill Marsh in 2019.
https://www.billmarsh.com/dealership/about.htm


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Some of the Formula Open Wheel Class cars at Waterford Hills. July 1969.
Formula C cars
61496
F-C Stanguellini FJR Alfa 1300cc DOHC Pete Klain Owner/Driver# 44

61497

61498


Formula Fords. (Note the early type wing arrangement on the last FF. # 39 )
61499

61500

(Jerry Melton photos..)

Ken H

[928]

car no 33, and car no 3 in the photos above are fomula 'C' going on the info on the side of the car. both are using weber side draft carbs as well

[Ray Bell]

Both of those FFords look a lot like Lotus 20s, though the first one looks to have a different nose and windscreen...

The FC cars both seem to have Brabham wheels. But maybe I'm wrong with the Kasprowicz car?

[Roger Dowding]

Ray,
That is a prototype of what we hope will be the next generation TR 6 Supercharger system.
The first type had a modified Holley 2300 downdraft carb. which after a while did not work so well.
I can't say much more except it is a GM type coil pack ignition with a single point fuel injection system.
Moss has made a special throttle body, it has sensors for throttle position, crankshaft and MAP etc.
The original distributor is in there so the tachometer cable can be utilized.

p.s. It is not on the market yet.

Ken

Ken H - I wondered about the " wireless " Dizzy too !!
Guess they will make a cap to cover the lead holes !!

[Ray Bell]

It would be more fun to run dummy wires to the dipstick to make onlookers guess some more...

[khyndart in CA]

It is amusing how one "dizzy' cap gets so much attention.
Perhaps the dummy wires would be interesting or a pen holder etc. .. etc..
It would have been so much easier to have some ignition boots put on the cap.
61513

[Roger Dowding]

It would be more fun to run dummy wires to the dipstick to make onlookers guess some more...

Love it Ray .. then they would plaster it all over Facebook !!

[khyndart in CA]

One driver who competed at this track in 1969 was a young 22 yr.old, Chuck Bartlebaugh, who drove a McLaren 1 C Can Am car # 79 against various fields. He raced this car for several years including the 1974 Mid-Ohio Can Am race which included Porsche 917/10s and Shadow DN 4s etc ! (Imagine the speed difference !)
61514

61515

61516

61517

61518
(Jerry Melton photos..)

Perhaps due to the racing experience against "The Bear" Denis Hulme, helped Chuck prepare for his later career change where he now lives close to where our daughter lives in Missoula, Montana. (See the site below.)

http://www.bebearaware.org/AboutChuck/aboutchuck.html


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Tomorrow I am off to join my son on the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Stennis as we join up in what is called a "Tiger Cruise" where family members can sail on board for 4 days from Florida up the East coast to Norfolk,Virginia. We will have no land contact unless there is an emergency which at the moment it seems anything could happen !
Apart from that I found Jerry Melton had photographed this unique looking race car but there was no description but with some research I managed to find some information. It reminded me of the time I saw Graham McRae in action in a Begg FM 2 at Baypark in 1969.61881(Unknown photographer.)

61882
Check the rear view mirror set up which was popular in US club racing about 1971.

61883

61884
It started in the Formula Libre class but later raced in Formula B. (This photo gave the first clue to what is was.)
(Jerry Melton photos )
1968 Miller-Lotus
F-B
Cutting Edge 1968 Formula B Racecar (2006)
61885

61886

"Designed and built by George Miller, senior Pontiac Transmission Designer at the time. Rather than steel tubing or sheet aluminum monocoque chassis it utilizes a stiff, lightweight aluminum honeycomb monocoque sheathed in composites, and joined by aluminum gussets. Miller had access to the Pontiac wind tunnel and with extensive testing; they developed a unique high down force body, well ahead of its time. The chassis rolls on Lola T-70 wheels, which are suspended by upper and lower A-arms in the front, and a DeDion suspension system in the back. The car comes with a box of original blue prints for all the special parts made at Pontiac. The dry-sumpted Lotus twin-cam is mated to a 4-speed, all aluminum gearbox from the Corvair tech center, with power being fed to the rear wheels by a Halibrand quick-change rear-end. The car has disk brakes all around. Miller claims the car weighs 800lbs. The car was finished in 1968 and run in SCCA regional races in the same year. This car won or broke in every race it ran, lapping the field in two laps in its only rain race. In aerodynamic tests in 1968 the car as clocked at 173mph powered by a 180hp HART. The car was sold to Michigan in 1971, then to Tennessee where it sat until the late 1980s. Charles Hoopaugh, an employee at Fantasy Junction for almost 20 years, bought the car and restored it in 1990. During the restoration he had the motor rebuilt at Tommy Crowther (160 hp), dyno time only. All new aeroquip lines, Teflon brake and clutch lines, new tires, and new fire system. The fuel cells were re-replaced again in 2004. The starts, but has not been raced since the completion of the restoration. The car is vintage eligible for HMSA, HSR, CSRG, VARA, and SCCA Vintage race groups."
https://www.fantasyjunction.com/sold/1968-miller-lotus-f-b/overview

Ken H.
(All aboard..Eh Eh Captain..)

[Bruce302]

Have fun on the cruise Ken, That sounds like an amazing experience.

Thanks for he added photos.

Bruce.

[Ray Bell]

Is it possible to find out any more about this 'Miller-Lotus'?

Allen Brown has nothing about it on his 'Old Racing Cars' site, even though the spiel here says that it won a number of races.

Surely there's more information available?

[khyndart in CA]

Ray,
That spiel might have been for sales purposes !
It obviously worked in 2006.

[Ray Bell]

It's quite funny, Ken...

Allen, when I asked him about this car, told me he really doubted that it had ever raced. He knew of it, but its history seemed fabricated because he'd never seen any proof anywhere that the car had been on a track.

The pics you've posted have given it some credibility. To give credibility to the sales pitch, however, will take a bit more work.

[khyndart in CA]

Almost a year ago I entered some Jerry Melton photos of Fiat- Abarth (On page 4) and mentioned the Roosevelt Racing Team of 1959-60 that had a winning season back then that included drivers Roger Penske, Dan Gurney etc.

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21916/lot/368/

62356

62357.



62358


I found a Fiat- Abarth at the end of this clip of some interesting vehicles.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Haggerty+Unsund+British+sports+car&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dHaggerty%2bUnsund%2bBritish%2bsports%2bcar%26form%3dIENTHT%26mkt%3den-us%26httpsmsn%3d1%26refig%3d9ffc957b32344127c897b131cce73944%26sp%3d-1%26pq%3dhaggerty%2bunsund%2bbritish%2bsports%2bcar%26sc%3d1-34%26qs%3dn%26sk%3d%26cvid%3d9ffc957b32344127c897b131cce73944&view=detail&mid=4D0C9BE4E62C8AAFCB7B4D0C9BE4E62C8AAFCB7B&&mmscn=vwrc&FORM=VDRVRV


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

In 1972 at Waterford Hills Raceway, John Greenwood showed up with his brother to compete in his C-3 Corvettes that had recently been
painted in very patriotic colors of the US Stars and Stripes.
The photos in B&W do not do it justice so a bonus photo is attached.

62369

62372

62370
(Jerry Melton photos..)

62371







(Ken H )

[Roger Dowding]

Wow, Ken H

Thank you so much - in my 1;43 scale collection have 5 of Greenwood's cars the #28 [ 1972 ] and
#29 [ 1973 ] from Le Mans like the one above, and three of the Space Frame wide bodied #76 Le Mans 1976 #76 Sebring 1976 and a Mancuso also Race #76 one in Blue.
He raced a #48 at Le Mans - another year -must check as haven't got that model.

Most of the Corvette's in the old [ now sold cabinet ].

62379

The Mancuso Car - a small pic. the real car.

62380

Cheers
Roger

[khyndart in CA]

Greenwood Corvette information site. (Everything you need to know about these Corvettes )
Including the die-casts, Roger. (I marvel at your collection.)

http://www.greenwoodcorvettes.com/Profile.html

[khyndart in CA]

More regarding Greenwood Corvettes.

" In 1977, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) opened up the rule books to allow full tube-framed cars to compete in their North American Road Racing series. That prompted some of the front runners to opt-in to this new potential, John Greenwood being one of those from Corvette’s camp.

He joined forces with Bob Riley and the team that would later make a name for themselves as Protofab. The chassis was built by Charlie Selix and Gary Pratt (later Pratt and Miller) from large two-inch chrome-moly tubing, using extensive triangulation for strength." (Andy Bolig.)

I always thought this was a good looking machine with heaps of grunt but with few results even though it raced until 1983.

62437
.
62438

62439

62440
Greenwood leading the Mancuso Corvette.

62441
The same Corvette C3 # TF 001 now raced by Greg Pickett in 1978 - 1983

62442

The second Greenwood tube frame Corvette has just had a beautiful restoration by the Bruce Canepa shop and is for sale.
Check the workmanship in the photo gallery at this site.
https://www.corvetteonline.com/news/1977-greenwood-supervette-restored-and-ready-for-sale/


Here you are folks with an opportunity to have some fun even if you may have to sell the farm to get it !

(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

In 1972 at Waterford Hills the Austin Mini Cooper seemed to have a slight handling advantage over the Ford Pinto !

62478

62479
(Jerry Melton photos..)


Ken H

[khyndart in CA]

Some of the sedans racing in 1972.

62485
A Volvo P1800

62486
A TVR and an NSU competing in the rain.


62487
A Yenko Stinger. (Jerry Melton photo..)

More can be read about the Stinger at this site which also includes the Yenko Stinger Tech Manual.

http://www.calconnect.com/cars/66yenko/66yenko.htm

62488


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Waterford Hills is a 1.5 mile long road-racing circuit located just north of Detroit, the circuit map below gives us the picture of a circuit many of us are unfamiliar with.
67437

Some of Jerry Melton's photos showed a Peter Quenet in a Lotus 51 during 1968.
Peter was Ford America Competition Manager who lived near this track.
67438

67439

67440
(Jerry Melton photos)

Peter also liked the driving skills of a young Allan Moffatt who often raced at this track in the 1960s.
Peter in his Anglia which I'm sure had some hot Ford components.
67441

67442
Allan Moffat in his Lotus Cortina leading the Anglia of Peter Quinet in 1966.


(Ken H )

[Milan Fistonic]

This Greenwood Corvette was on display last year in the McLaren Trust at Hampton Downs

67447

67448

[khyndart in CA]

Allan Moffat enjoyed his Lotus Cortina drives at the Waterford Hills circuit as seen in these 1965 photos of him driving and winning there.
67450

67451

Allan considered Peter Quenet one of the main reasons for his career to be advanced from this stage, and I think Peter was able to arrange for Allan to be part of the 1965 Indy 500 winning team as a helper to Jimmy Clark and his Team Ford Lotus 38.
Allan is 2nd from the right in this team photo.

67452


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Allan drove in the Formula B Class in 1966 and again in 1967.
He did not have much success in 1966 with the Lotus 35 and this is a sad looking Allan Moffat at Waterford Hills in 1966.
67458

He did much better with his Brabham BT 16 in 1967, Winning a number of races.
67459

But he seemed to do much better with a roof over his head such as in a Lotus Cortina.

67460


The caption with this picture. " A couple of young ‘Australian’ roosters going for it at Riverside in September 1966- Horst Kwech in the Alfa Romeo GTA and Moffat in one of his Lotus Cortinas.

Allan also drove a Lotus Cortina in the 1967 Trans Am race at the Green Valley Circuit in Texas.
Captured by this Jerry Melton photo.

67461

(Ken H)
I did not cover the Jerry Melton photos much earlier of this Trans Am event so as this is the time to catch up and present these photos on this thread.

[Ray Bell]

'Young' Australians?

Horst Kwech raced at Bathurst in 1958, obviously somewhere else earlier than that. You can't race at Bathurst without a full licence, you see.

I think Moffat's first race in Australia was about 1962 in a Triumph TR and he brought the Lotus Cortina here in late 1964.

[khyndart in CA]

Ray,
Allan was 26 yrs old and Horst was 28 in Sept. 1966.
That might be young by US standards !


Ken H

[Roger Dowding]

" A couple of young ‘Australian’ roosters going for it at Riverside in September 1966- Horst Kwech in the Alfa Romeo GTA and Moffat in one of his Lotus Cortinas.

Was waiting for a mention of Horst Kwech - he stayed in the USA, having come from Australia whereas Moffat [ Canadian Ehh !! - ?] became an Australian !! Both great racers.

Thanks Ken H,

Would like to see some early pics of Horst racing - before he went " Stateside " - Ray do you have of know of any ??

[khyndart in CA]

Roger,
You might get some info from this thread.
http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?2048-Horst-Kwech&highlight=horst+Kwech



Ken H

[Ray Bell]

Reading that thread, it seems that Paul Newby is the boy who'd know where the pics can be found...

[Roger Dowding]

Roger,
You might get some info from this thread.
http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?2048-Horst-Kwech&highlight=horst+Kwech



Ken H

Cheers Ken H,

Should have had a better look on here .. !!
Roger

[khyndart in CA]

Allan Moffat driving a MK 1 Lotus Cortina at Sandown in Nov. 1964 and then driving a RHD Lotus Cortina at Waterford Hills in July 1965.
Both Allan and Horst seemed to prefer RHD sedans wherever they raced.
67473
Sandown Park. Nov. 1964

67474
July 1965.

A Jerry Melton photo of Horst Kwech leaning out the right side of his RHD Alfa Romeo with the signature Kangaroo and Australia on the door.
67475
At Green River Valley. 1965


(Ken H)

[Ray Bell]

This one, however, which lives in Alice Springs (you don't get any more Australian than that!) is left hand drive:

https://i.postimg.cc/Fz7Sqk9P/0819-ASlotuscortina-RF.jpg

[khyndart in CA]

Ray,
That is a great looking 1965 Lotus Cortina.
There must be a story to go with that LHD beauty.


(Ken H)

[Ray Bell]

There is, I'll have to dig it up...

Bearing in mind that a very small number of LHD Lotus Cortinas were ever built.

[khyndart in CA]

One more of Horst Kwech in 1966 in an RHD Alfa GTA driving in a US Trans Am race.
Head leaning to the right shows the Kangaroo on his helmet and the door.
He was proud to show his ties to Australia. A cool dude.

67480



(Ken H)

[Ray Bell]

Ken, I've been unable at this stage to contact the owner...

I have ascertained a couple of things. It has a modified version of the head made for Strombergs (from Lotus Europa Twin Cams, possibly etc) done by Ken Duclos in America. He's made up a twin-Weber manifold to adapt to those heads after machining off the Stromberg cast-in manifold.

The present owner is at least the second Australian owner, he bought it from a collector in Sydney. I saw the car both at his place in the urban part of Alice Springs and also out on this rural property, it gets around a bit.

[Ray Bell]

There was, apparently, no specific reason for the LHD car being purchased into Australia by the collector other than that he wanted a Lotus Cortina and that was the one he found...

And later, I guess, he fell out of love with it and the present owner bought it and took it to Alice Springs.

I was really expecting to learn that a US Serviceman stationed at Pine Gap (just outside The Alice) had brought it with him and left it behind when he went home. I know of one 1958 Plymouth 2-door station wagon that stayed here like that, and there are others.

[khyndart in CA]

I found some Jerry Melton photos taken in 1967 at the Green Valley Raceway in Texas and it is time to share some.


This young driver seems pretty calm as he has a smoke and waits for the starting grid to assemble.
67534

67531
Roger is this a BN1 or a BN 2 (As I don't know the difference from this angle.)

67532


67533
A Sunbeam Tiger

Jerry Melton photos


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

The Minis always provided good close racing.
67539

67540

67541
This Austin Cooper 997 is in the under 1 Litre Class.

67542
Not sure which direction this MGA was meant to be headed !

67543
This Datsun 1600 Fairlady Roadster was an early Japanese racer in the US in 1967
Many more were in the years to come.
(Did any of these race in NZ at that time ?)


(Jerry Melton 1967 photos )

[Roger Dowding]

" Roger is this a BN1 or a BN 2 (As I don't know the difference from this angle.) "

Good question,
Bodywise - there were several differences
- bigger radius front wheel arches - but guys racing use to cut them bigger anyway.
- swage line on the rear guard behind the wheel arch - but they were progressively used and a few BN1 had them.
- separate rear reflectors in chrome mounts above the tail lights - probably the most noticed change
There are probably more - this is off the top my retired head.
Mechanical
- hidden was the four speed gearbox.

So in essence " I don't know the difference from this angle " - nor do I Ken H.

Nice car great photo - thanks - it will appear on the Austin Healey thread I think.. and again here !!

67544

[khyndart in CA]

At the February 1967 meet at GVR were two Jabro sports cars powered by Saab engines.
There is some information regarding these cars at this site.

https://zinkpetitemkii.wordpress.com/jabro-mk-i-ii-and-iii/

67553

67554

67555

67556

Jabro Mk 3 Sports cars.

(Jerry Melton photos 1967..

# 8 and # 12.)

[khyndart in CA]

In the FP Class and small sedan race, James Boswell had qualified well in his Volvo P 1800 # 78
And led the field at the start.
67562

He was well positioned on the first lap.
67563

James was enjoying the race in his Volvo.
67564

Until the darn RHD Mini of Brad Dunn got in the way !
67565

(Jerry Melton ..1967 photos )

(Ken H)

[Ray Bell]

And I guess the Mini driver said, "Oh oh..."?

[khyndart in CA]

And I guess the Mini driver said, "Oh oh..."?

Good one Ray :cool: 67566

[John McKechnie]

In the FP Class and small sedan race, James Boswell had qualified well in his Volvo P 1800 # 78
And led the field at the start.
67562

He was well positioned on the first lap.
67563

James was enjoying the race in his Volvo.
67564

Until the darn RHD Mini of Brad Dunn got in the way !
67565

(Jerry Melton ..1967 photos )

(Ken H)

I am trimming one of these Volvos at the moment

[khyndart in CA]

Another British car racing at GVR in 1967 was a TVR Grantura Series 2 # 65.
The car was built by the very talented Trevor Wilkinson from Blackpool, England. TVR derived from TreVoR.
Some of the TVR story can be found at this site;
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/3l654d7/

67567

67568
(Jerry Melton ..1967 photos)


This # 65 car could have been one of the TVR Grantura's brought over for the 1963 Sebring 12 Hour Race.
They were powered by a MGA 1600 Mk 2 engine (1622 cc)
They had overheating issues in the 1963 event.
One of the TVRs was driven by Mark Donohue in car # 51
67569

Class 10 Entry List for the 1963 Sebring 12 Hour Race.
67570

If you want to see a top class entry list check this site.
(Note the drivers in Jaguar # 20 for instance )
Plus all the supporting races.

https://sebringrace.com/page17.html




( Ken H) ( I had to do some homework for this one !)

[khyndart in CA]

The Lotus marque was well represented throughout the race groups in 1967 at Green Valley Raceway.
Including Lotus Sevens.
67588

67589

67590

A Lotus 11
67591


A Lotus Cortina # 50
67592

A Lotus Elan.
67593

(Jerry Melton photos )




(Ken H)

[Ray Bell]

That's a high-spec Seven there...

Wobbly alloy wheels.

[khyndart in CA]

Some more of Lotus cars entered at GVR in 1967.

A Lotus 23B.
67599

67600


A rare Porsche powered Lotus 23 B.
67601


67602



(Jerry Melton photos..)

Ken H.

[khyndart in CA]

Another Lotus that was prominent in Texas in 1967 was the Formula B Class, Lotus 41 C powered by a Ford twin cam engine prepared by BRM.
The team that dominated was the Gus Hutchison team of 3 cars.
67608
The team preparing to compete. Gus Hutchison in the white shirt in the centre.

67609
A well prepared Lotus 41 C # 51

67610
# 53 on the way to winning the Formula B race.

67611
# 53 taking the chequered flag.
(Jerry Melton photos.)

( A coloured photo of two of the Gus Hutchison Lotus 41 C Formula B cars )
67612


(Ken H )

[Ray Bell]

Those 23s don't have original wheels either!

[khyndart in CA]

If the Lotus 41C was a success story then the Lotus 40 was just the opposite.
It was a V-8 engined sports car built to compete against the McLarens and Lolas in 1965.
It was was very twitchy due to chassis flexing and also often overheated.
Even the driving skills of Jim Clark and A.J. Foyt could not make it a winner.
English driver Jack Sears rated it as one of the worst race cars he ever drove and an accident in one at Silverstone almost ended his life.
He describes it at this site.
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/may-1998/55/mistakes-they-made-few

Jim Cark struggling with his Lotus 40 at Riverside 1965

67628


There was a Lotus 40 at the Texas track in 1967.
I will try to enter some of Jerry Melton's photos of # 98.


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

A Lotus 40 # 98 at Green Valley Raceway in 1967.

In the days before spoilers.
67634

67635


The 351 Ford Cleveland motor being worked on.

67636

67637

67638





(Jerry Melton photos from 1967.

[khyndart in CA]

Some German vehicles at Green Valley in 1967.
The Porsche 356 Speedsters had various issues such as ;

Losing a left front wheel as a TR 4 # 11 passes by.

67716

Number 15 trying really hard;

67717

Before destroying his left front going off the circuit.

67718

Other Porsche stayed on the circuit.

67721

Even one was brave enough to enter the track as a McLaren M1B flashes by.
With something amiss with the tail pipe.

67722

Jerry Melton photos..1967

[Paul B]

Great pics Ken, Those Porsche's would be worth a few bucks today! The lotus 40 above is very cool too, Would they have had a 351 Cleveland engine in 1967? maybe a 351 Windsor? Great pics anyway!
Hope you and yours are safe and well.
Cheers
P

[khyndart in CA]

Thanks Paul,
We have managed to stay safe to this point and had a mixed feelings anniversary this weekend.
It was 48 years ago in 1972 that I met Judy while in Earls Court before working at Trojan in Croydon so that was cause for celebration and then we looked back on it being 40 years ago in 1980 that dear Judy was hit with a polio type virus that changed our plans and goals dramatically and here we are today counting our many blessings. As I have mentioned before, "I sure married up !".

Back to the Lotus 40. What I based the engine in Texas was from this; " The Lotus 40 remarkably similar to the GT40. It had a Lotus chassis and used the same Lola Ford GT40 drivetrain and engine. Both cars had Shelby 289 engines with a ZF5DS25 gearbox, however the Lotus used the Tecalmit-Jackson fuel injection where Ford used Webers. Both accounted for around 150 additional horsepower.
Ford would use the 351 Cleveland in later years."

Cheers Paul,
Ken

[Ray Bell]

If the Cleveland is the raised-block 351, then its history (as I recall seeing mention at the time) began with engines for Dan Gurney to instal in his Lola T70 with the Gurney-Weslake heads.

[khyndart in CA]

Another connection to Germany was the Volkswagen powered Formula Vee Class.
Again some had a better day than others.

67728

67729

67730

67731

Jerry Melton..1967 photos.

(Ken H )

[Roger Dowding]

Sebring 1963 - the link - and to others years too !!
" ( Ken H) ( I had to do some homework for this one !) "

Ken H, Thanks for that.
It will help with a discussion and comment on an Austin Healey page that I am following.
I posted some of the photos on the Austin Healey thread about the 3000's race #33 and #34 - I commented that they were from the 1964 Race, but there are the number #33 and #34 both AH 3000's.
Now to look at the 1964 list.
The cars were a blue/grey colour as seen in this pic.

67732

Cheers

Roger

[khyndart in CA]

Roger,
There was a A/H 3000 # 34 driven by Warwick Banks and Australian Paul Hawkins in the 1965 race in Class 12

[Roger Dowding]

Roger,
There was a A/H 3000 # 34 driven by Warwick Banks and Australian Paul Hawkins in the 1965 race in Class 12
Must try to find some photos

In the 1964 Race Donald Healey Motor Company entered 3 cars, two Sprites and a 3000 - as pictured here.

67740

Part of the 1964 Entry List that Ken H put the link on TRS
67739

Ken H, do you know where " Green Valley " Track was [ or is ] ??

[khyndart in CA]

Roger,
As mentioned earlier; " Green Valley Raceway was a motorsports race track located in Smithfield, Texas, and was part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Designed and built by Bill McClure on his North Texas Dairy, the facility opened in 1960, and was used for over 20 years until its closure in 1986."

There was also an Anglo - American vehicle at GVR in 1967.
A Jaguar XKSS powered by a 'good ol' Chevrolet 327 engine.

https://www.opgi.com/blog/2013/12/the-chevrolet-327/

PLUS some parts pricing to be checked out..


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Chasing a Cobra in the "Big Bore" race.

(Jerry Melton 1967 photos )

(Ken H )

[Roger Dowding]

" Green Valley Raceway was a motorsports race track located in Smithfield, Texas, "- found it Ken H - and should have read your notes.
Never been to Texas - Closest I got was Colorado [North of Tx ] and Mexico - but in the West - Baja Peninsula.
Didn't realise how big Dallas - Fort Worth is these days -just Googled it.

Cheers
Roger.

PS that XKSS - looks mean, but in these days what a thing to do to such a rare car.
Don't mention what we did in NZ to Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Tojiero Jaguars et al ..

[khyndart in CA]

Some Shelby Cobras came out for the "Big Bore Race"

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Alfred Goldman in his Cobra 289 # 74, waiting to enter the circuit.

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A mighty Shelby Cobra 427

(Jerry Melton photos..1967 )


Ken H.

[Paul B]

Great shots Ken.
You are so fortunate to get the pics! And we even more fortunate to see them.

[Roger Dowding]

Agree with Paul B,

Interesting in the Cobra photos #97 in white would be an early 289 ci, plain wheel arches etc .. looks small compared to some of the others.

Cheers Ken H,

Roger

[Paul B]

The early 260 & 289 Cobras are a very nice shape, I personally prefer the original AC design shape of that era. As much as I like the big block FE 427s, the shape was lost a little with the big flares, don't get me wrong, still a very nice machine! and I would love to have any one of those in my shed. Just sayin.